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LIFE 



/ 

OF 



WILLIAM CARVOSSO, 

II 

SIXTY YEARS A CLASS-LEADER. 






WxiiUn By l^unmlt 

AND EDITED BY HIS SON^ 



CINCINNATI : 

JE^NIsTIlSrOS Sz PYE, 

NEW YORK : 
KATOlNr & MAINS, 



404426 
'30 



IB X 2353 



IS3S 



PREFACE. 



" The observations of good old JMr. Carvosso 
nave been read, by myself and others, with that 
awful reverence which is due to the directions of 
one, who— having himself found the way, and be- 
ing about to enter the kingdom of blessedness — is 
anxious to direct the multitudes who would arrive 
at the same place. Every syllable has a force, and 
comes with an irresistible authority : — the whole is 
emphatic, clear, and Scriptural." This is an extract 
from a letter written by the late eminent Counselor 
Drew, of Jamaica, to his sister ; at whose request 
my father had written to him, and of whom an in- 
teresting account will be found in a subsequent part 
of this volume. 

I have no knowledge of the contents of the letter 
which was written to Mr. Drew, but doubt not that 
numerous observations, of the same kind and quality, 
will be found in the ensuing pages ; and if they be 
read by persons whose minds are as simple and 
well-disposed as his was, there is every reason to 
believe they will be received as clear and Scriptural 
— felt to have force and authority — and be pro- 
nounced good to the use of edifying. Indeed, if the 



4 PBEFACE. 

opinion on this subject be correct, which is con 
tained in a letter addressed to the editor, by a very 
judicious friend, there is a numerous class of readers 
who are prepared to feel a greater interest in this 
ittle work than could be felt by Mr. Drew and 
such as never saw my father's face in the flesh. 
The respected writer says : " I am glad you are about 
to publish a Memoir of your late excellent father ; 
hope to receive much comfort and benefit from its 
perusal— as I doubt not thousands more will ; es- 
pecially those who had the happiness of his ac- 
quaintance : the recollection of the man will ren- 
der the Memoir doubly interesting. Of the many 
favors of divine Providence which demand my 
daily acknowledgment, his friendship, which I en- 
joyed so many years, stands in the foremost rank." 
Another intelligent friend, who well knew him, re- 
marked to me, " If ever there was a man whose 
piety, and extraordinary usefulness, in that sphere 
of life in which he moved, deserved a biographical 
record, your late venerable father is the person." 

With such statements it would be easy to swell 
these introductory pages. But while the editor 
deems it unnecessary further to trouble the reader 
with suffrages of this kind, he has considered those 
not uncalled for, to justify the part he has taken in 
bringing the volume before the public, — to bespeak 
the candid attention of the stranger, — and also to 
remind the Christian reader that, as he is about to 
tread hallowed ground, it is meet he should do it 
with that awful reverence which is only found in a 



PREFACE. I 

devotional frame of mind. This is the more neces- 
sary, as the accumulation of strong meat which will 
be found m many of these pages cannot be used 
by any, so as to grow thereby, until it be sanctified 
by prayer to Him whose grace alone conveys the 
requisite power to feed on Christ in the heart by 
faith. 

The subject of this Memoir was a Methodist — a 
warm, simple-hearted, old Wesleyan Methodist; 
and, therefore, nothing more or less than Method- 
ism, in the old way, must be looked for here. Be it 
his fault or his excellence, my father was a passion- 
ate admirer of Mr. Wesley. Having been twenty 
years a member of the united society, before the 
death of that great man and great minister of Christ; 
he was often one of those who followed him from 
place to place, and mingled among the overwhelm- 
ing crowds that hung upon his lips when he visited 
these parts. A thousand times, with streaming eyes, 
he would bless God for sending Mr. Wesley into 
Cornwall The doctrines taught by him he re- 
garded as the pure truth of God ; and received them 
with his whole spirit and soul. Mr. Wesley's Ser- 
mons and hymn-book were prized by him, per- 
haps, as highly as any earthly things ought to be. 
Their very existence was to him a continued subject 
of adoring gratitude. 

Present, free, and full salvation, by simple faith in 
the atonement, formed the theme on which he dwelt 
with delight, and almost without intermission ; more 
particularly during the last twenty-five years of his 



* PREFACE. 

lengthened pilgrimage. In receiving the salvatioD 
of the gospel, he had no opinion of delays, excep- 
tions, or limits. To the spiritually diseased, of every 
class, his constant cry was, " Come ; for all things 
are now ready." He saw, in the strong command- 
ing light of faith, Christ present, able, willing to 
save unto the uttermost; and therefore, when he ex 
claimed, — 

" Believe, and all your sin 's forgiven ; 
Only believe, and yours is heaven !" 

it often produced an effect peculiarly his own. In 
no other man's lips, whom I have heard speak on 
matters of faith, did it ever appear to me that the 
word " believe" meant so much as in his. When 
others said to the penitent, " You must believe," the 
words often appeared without force, and almost 
without meaning; but no sooner did he utter these, 
or similar words, than the wisdom of God was mani- 
fest, and gospel truth, spoken in simplicity, fre- 
quently seemed like a lever that moved the world. 
Hence the multitude of captive souls who found 
almost instant liberty when they fell into his hands 
To some who had no personal knowledge of his 
character — having never heard the wisdom and the 
spirit with which he spake of faith in the blood of 
Christ — it may appear strange, and perhaps scarcely 
credible, that so many persons, variously instructed 
and informed, and often long groaning under spirit- 
ual bondage, should find the joy of salvation on their 
being introduced into his presence but a few minutes 



PREFACE. 7 

only; the sorrowful soul being brought out of dark 
ness into marvelous light, simply by the use of two 
or three right words. In some degree to account for 
this, it should be borne in mind, 1. That, on these oc- 
casions, his words came from a heart which felt the 
power of the Lord was present to heal. His falling 
tears, his lifted hands, his affecting emphasis, and 
every lineament of his countenance, declared that 
to the sorrowful spirit whom he addressed, and 
powerfully enforced the truth contained in his burn- 
ing words. 2. His faith, no doubt, brought a de- 
gree of gracious aid to the helpless soul. To what 
extent our own faith may be regarded while we seek 
the salvation of others, we have no means of ascertain- 
ing; but that it sometimes has an important bearing 
on the subject, is evident from the ca**, of the man 
who was brought to Christ sick of the palsy. Of 
the man's own faith we hear nothing; but of his 
four benevolent friends, who used such extraordi- 
nary exertions to bring him to Jesus Christ, it is 
written, " When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the 
sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee." 
Now, when a broken-hearted penitent was intro- 
duced to my father, and he heard him inquire, 
amidst the flowing of humble, contrite tears, " What 
must I do to be saved ?" he unhesitatingly pointed 
him to the Lamb of God ; confidently believing that 
he could and would save the soul that lay thirsting 
for salvation at the footstool of the mercy-seat : and 
is not " Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and 
for ever ?" 3. On the first exercise, or act of faith 



6 PREFACE. 

by which the sinner comes to Christ, it is w«dl 
known tha* the subject of this Memoir was " apt to 
teach." He was most fruitful in expedients and 
illustrations, to help the understanding and the con- 
fidence of the seeking soul. A young man, a mem- 
ber of our society, one of much intelligence, and 
more than ordinary strength of mind, who has since 
died in the faith, observed to me one day in his affiic- 
tion, " Until I saw your excellent father, it seemed 
to me I never met with any one whose exposition 
of faith came within the reach of my understanding; 
out his remarks on the nature of that important 
grace were clear and forcible in an extraordinary 
degree, commending themselves to my reason, as 
well as to my heart and conscience : and," he added, 
" suffer me to say, if his papers shall fall into your 
hands, you will be guilty of an act of injustice to the 
world if you do not give them to the public." 

His illustrations, which told so remarkably, were 
commonly of the most simple kind. He would seize 
on anything open to the senses, and in one way or 
other render it subservient to his great object, the 
bringing of the soul to Jesus : and his deeply spiritual 
mind, clear conceptions of the subject, and great 
simplicity of soul, rendered this mode of instruction 
highly interesting and profitable. 

Entering into the house of a poor man, known to 
him to be deeply and sorrowfully concerned for the 
salvation of his soul, he found him blowing the fire, 
to assist in preparing the ordinary meal. My father 
said to him, " John, if you had half as much faith in 



PREFACE. * 

Jesus Christ as you have in those bellows, you would 
be set at liberty in a moment" This at once brought 
the subject of faith in Christ within the man's reach, 
in an instant he saw — he felt — he believed — and 
was saved from all his sins and sorrows. 

He would often put the person who was eagerly 
inquiring after Christ to read an appropriate scrip- 
ture, or verse of a hymn ; telling him that he must 
try to read for himself. If, at the first reading, his 
heart did not take hold of the truth, he would be 
required to read over the portion more carefully, 
again and again. In this way he has helped many 
a poor mourner over the bar of unbelief. Closely 
connected with this method of instruction, he had 
another, which was equally successful. At some ap- 
posite turn of expression, he would stop short the 
sorrowful and heavy-laden reader, look him in the 
face, with the feelings of a devoutly melting heart 
visible in his eyes, show him what was contained in, 
and his right to, what his lips had uttered ; and then, 
in the most persuasive and affectionate manner, in- 
quire if he did not perceive the meaning, and be- 
lieve the gracious truth, contained in the words 
which had now dropped from his own lips. Thus 
many, ere they were aware, felt themselves gently 
borne from the fearful precipice of unbelief, and set 
down amidst the ocean of redeeming love. Of this 
I have an instance before me, detailed in a letter 
from one of my father's correspondents. The writer 
says of him, " He went with me to see an old couple 
whom I was in the habit of visiting once a week 



10 PREFACE. 

While we were there, a woman who was a near neigh 
bor came m ; your dear father, who was always ready 
for such work, asked her, I think, if she loved God. 
She said, * Yes ; but there is something I still want. 
He said, ' Come, and sit down by me, and I will tell 
you all about it/ She sat down accordingly, and 
he soon discovered she did not know her sins were 
pardoned. He told her, 'You may receive this 
blessing now/ He then took our hymn-book, 
opened to the tenth hymn, and put her to read the 
fourth verse. When she had read, ' Thy debt is 
paid/ he put his thumb on the words which followed, 
looked her in the face, and inquired if she thought 
it was paid ? She burst into a flood of tears, and 
was made happy from that moment. This is many 
years ago, but his dear name is as precious to her 
as ever; and, I may add, she is still a consistent 
member of the society." 

There is another way in which he was sometimes 
made a very great blessing to the sincere seekers 
of gospel salvation ; it was by clearly and familiarly 
pointing out to them the error into which they oc- 
casionally fell, of undervaluing, and overlooking, 
the good work which God had already wrought in 
them ; and thus, by a voluntary humility, adding to 
their own difficulties in the work of faith. Another 
extract, from the letter above referred to, will afford 
an interesting and profitable illustration of this re- 
mark. After detailing the unsuccessful pains which 
he, and certain of his friends, had taken to obtain 



PREFACE. 11 

the blessing of perfect love, the writer proceeds to 
state, " About this time your father had visited somf. 
neighboring places, but I had not seen him. But 
one day brother B. called on me, and, in his quaint 
manner, said, ' Brother T., you will not be with him 
five minutes before you will be hot all over/ My 
expectations were raised; and at last he arrived, 
and took up his abode under my roof. One memo- 
rable night, my friends being present with me, he 
was conversing with us on the blessing of perfect 
love. He, like a wise master-builder, having ex- 
amined our spiritual attainments, discovered that 
we were in possession of the essential properties of 
that happy state, but without the joyful witness 
thereof. Therefore, he no longer held up the thing 
in prospect before us, but declared us in possession 
of it ; and charged us with the error of asking for 
what God had already given. ' Now,' said he, l it is 
rather your business to give thanks and rejoice.' 
To illustrate and impress on us his view of the sub- 
ject, he took up a hymn-book which lay before us 
on the table. i Suppose,' says he, * one of you ask 
me for this book. Well, there it is : I give it to 
you ;' putting it at the same time into the hands of 
one of our little company. < Now,' he observed, * will 
it not be manifest folly in you to continue asking 
me for the book, when you have it already in your 
possession ?' This simple method helped us to the 
act of faith ; we believed, the sacred fire kindled 
within, and presently we were all in a blaze of love, 



12 PREFACE. 

shouting and praising God together ; and, what is 
matter of greatest praise, the savor of the good then 
received we retain to this day." 

As to the true nature, the object, and the fruits 
of faith, he never misled the inquirer by new and 
strange notions, but uniformly kept in the good old 
way. With him the immediate and constant fruits 
of full Christian faith were, " pardon, and holiness, 
and heaven ;* the object of this faith, " Christ cruci- 
fied ;" and as to the nature of it, he ever maintained 
that the power to believe was from God, that the 
act of believing was necessarily ours ; and that the 
former was received, and the latter performed, only 
in the spirit of prayer. St. Paul's definition of faith, 
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen," (Heb. xi, 1,) he 
greatly admired, and often quoted ; and the mar- 
velous effects of faith detailed in that chapter were 
much his theme in life and death. Faith subdued 
all his evils, repaired all his breaches, supported and 
solaced him under all his trials and sorrows, made 
the fullness of Christ all his own, and impowered 
him with an ability to become an immense blessing 
to multitudes : hence the prominence which he gave 
to it in his public addresses, his private conversa- 
tions, and spiritual letters ; and hence, also, the bold 
relief in which it will be found the grace of faith 
stands in the subsequent narrative. Should there 
oe any who call for a defense of this peculiarity in 
"he book, we may refer them for such a defense to 



PREFACE. 13 

the example contained in the teaching of Jesus 
Christ and the apostles. 

Of all the Wesleyan tenets, none was receive 1 
by my father more heartily than the doctrine of 
Christian perfection. He saw it with the eyes that 
compiled the Wesleyan hymn-book, and, through- 
out his long Christian career, he held it to be just 
as important as Mr. Wesley himself did, when he 
said, " This doctrine is the grand depositum which 
God has lodged with the people called Methodists ; 
and for the sake of propagating this chiefly he ap- 
peared to have raised us up."* " Where it is not 
strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom 
any remarkable blessing of God ; and consequently, 
little addition to the society, and little life in the 
members of it. . . . Speak, and spare not. Let not 
regard to any man induce you to betray the truth 
of God. Till you press believers to expect full sal- 
vation now, you must not look for any revival."! 
That point — entire salvation from inbred sin — can 
hardly ever be insisted upon in preaching or prayer 
without a particular blessing. Honest I. B. firmly 
believes this doctrine, that we are to be saved from 
all sin in this life ; but I wish, when opportunity 
serves, you would encourage him, 1. To preach 
Christian perfection constantly, strongly, and expli- 
citly : 2. Explicitly to assert and prove, that it may 
be received now : and 3. That it is to be received 
by simph faith."f Into all this pious ardor foi 

* Works, vol. vii, p. 154. f Works, vol. vi, p. 761. 

I Works, vol. vii. o. 181. 



14 PREFACE 

" perfect holiness of heart by faith now," my father 
entered with the full tide of feeling and of conviction. 
It was no matter of speculation with him. He had 
felt his want of such a blessing as is understood by 
the words Christian perfection, entire sanctification, 
or perfect love. Unaided by human teaching, he 
searched the Scriptures, and found that God had 
clearly promised it : by the prayer of faith he ap- 
plied to the throne of grace for it ; and the Spirit 
of holiness, with glorious power and demonstration, 
revealed it in his heart. Hence neither men nor 
devils could shake his faith in the verity of this doc- 
trine; nor could his tongue or humble pen be 
silent in recommending it to all believers with 
whom he had intercourse ; and his success in this 
forms one of the most striking features of his brief 
history. 

From his distinct profession on this point, toge- 
ther with the large development of his experience 
contained in this volume, some little instruction 
perhaps may be gained on the practical bearings of 
the doctrine. As far as his views and experience 
go, we learn, 1 . That perfect love admits of a direct 
and satisfactory testimony from the Spirit, as to the 
time when God accomplishes the great work within 
us. 2. That faith alone is the condition and instru- 
ment of its application. 3. That it does not make 
man independent of the atonement; but on the 
contrary increases the believer's consciousness of its 
necessity and inestimable worth ; inasmuch as the 
holiness of God, the purity and extent of the law, 



PBEFACS. 15 

the sinfulness of sin, and the defects of our lives, are 
better understood. 4. That a present profession of 
enjoyment of the blessing is not responsible for 
failures past or to come. He that can now say, 
■ " In me verily is the love of God perfected," may 
have often grieved the Spirit since he first knew 
this great salvation by experience, and may again 
fast away his confidence, and feel a return of the 
carnal mind ; for he stands only one moment at a 
rime, and that moment by a faith whose life depends 
on our constancy in watching unto prayer. 5. That 
m the time of temptation, when the soul is stripped 
of the joyous witness of the blessing, it is our privi- 
lege and our duty to go at once to the atoning sacri- 
fice, and exercise a bold and firm reliance on Christ 
for present and full salvation ; and that this faith 
brings that blessed inward witness, the absence of 
which was a little before so sensibly felt 6. That 
when the believer has sustained a spiritual loss, and 
is conscious he has given way to sin, on the first per- 
ception of it, he should humbly, but instantly, fly to 
the blood that makes the wounded whole, resting 
therein, and agonizing in prayer till the soul be 
again completely restored. 7. That although the 
enjoyment of perfect love does not admit of outward 
or inward sin, properly so called, yet it admits of a 
strong conviction of the presence of numberless 
short-comings and infirmities ; and requires a vivid 
perception of the evil of fallen, unregenerate na- 
ture, the aggravation of actual sins that are past, 
and the judgment for which they are continually 



i$ PREFACE. 

calling, should we be found one moment separate 
from the atoning blood. 

As Mousehole is so often mentioned in the ensu 
ing pages, it will doubtless be an object of interest 
to some readers ; and, therefore, a brief notice of it 
'iere may not be unacceptable. It lies / about three 
idles south-west of Penzance, on the shore of Mount's 
Bay, and is supposed by some to have derived its 
singular name from a hole or small cavern in the 
adjacent cliff. Prior to the reign of Queen Eliza- 
beth, when it was burned by the Spaniards, history 
informs us it was a town of considerable notoriety 
It is very pleasantly situated ; and, at present, bears 
the character of a compact, interesting village, con- 
taining about one thousand inhabitants, whose sub- 
stance is derived almost entirely from fishing. Up- 
ward of fifty years the Methodists have had there a 
numerous society, which has uniformly borne a very 
high character for its Christian simplicity, and intel- 
ligent, fervent, and stable piety. Its number was 
small, not exceeding twenty, when my father, sixty- 
four years ago, first united himself to it Their 
place of worship was then a small room in a dwell 
ing house. Soon afterward they removed into a 
disagreeable place, used as a cellar for curing fish 
After awhile they fitted up for public worship a 
large upper room, the beams of which gave way 
with a tremendous crash the first time the congre- 
gation assembled in it. My father was present od 
the occasion. No lives were lost by the accident 
Their first chapel was built in 1783, at the time the 



PREFACE. 17 

Rev. Joseph Taylor, sen., traveled in Cornwall; 
whose labors were much blessed at Mousehole, as 
well as in other parts of the county. In 1813 this 
chapel was greatly enlarged. But still being too 
small to contain the congregation, this gave place to 
a much larger one in 1833. For such a place this 
chapel is a noble-looking building, is beautifully 
situated, will contain about eight hundred hearers, 
and is remarkably well attended. The number of 
the society is at present about three hundred.* 

* During the same period, the interests of religion in the 
county, as connected with Methodism, have advanced in a 
similar manner. At the conference before my father joined 
the society, the space now included in the Cornish district, 
(about two-thirds of the superficies of the county,) contained 
two circuits, seven preachers, and two thousand three hun- 
dred and eleven members. At that time there were no 
schools, and but few chapels or local preachers. At the con- 
ference which preceded my father's death, there were, within 
the same limits, thirteen circuits, twenty-five preachers, 
eighteen thousand one hundred and twenty -two members in 
society, and about nineteen thousand children in our Sunday 
schools, two hundred and ninety local preachers, two hun 
dred and twenty chapels, and, as nearly as can be estimated-, 
about fifty-five thousand hearers. 

Within the same period the Methodist connection through 
out the world has advanced with equal rapidity. In the yeai 
1770, the total number of Methodist preachers was one hun- 
dred, and the total number of members twenty-nine thousand 
four hundred and six. In 1834, the total number of preachers 
was three thousand seven hundred and seventy ; and the 
total amount of members in the different parts of the globe, 
one million five hundred and fifty-eight. " Let no man glor? 
in man He that glorieth, let him dory in the T.ord ' 
2 



18 PREFACE. 

In the perusal of the following personal narrative 
it should be borne in mind, that, as an author, my 
father labored under peculiar disadvantages ; such 
indeed, I apprehend, as cannot be easily paralleled 
in the history of literature. Here is the singular 
instance of a man writing a volume for, the instruc- 
tion of the world, and raising himself into very ex 
tensive notoriety and esteem by his epistolary cor- 
respondence; who, at the advanced age of sixty- 
five, had never written a single sentence ! At this 
period the utmost performance of his pen was to 
mark his class-book, or class-paper ; and, on a rare 
occasion, when circumstances required something 
of the kind, to put together, with much effort, the 
letters of the alphabet which composed his name. 
As he used with much regularity to mark his class- 
paper, when he returned from meeting, and com- 
monly filled up the ruled interstices with the letter 
P, I remember my mother used now and then hu- 
morously to rally him about the extent of his pen- 
manship ; telling him, the utmost he could do was 
to make P's. To this circumstance, however, by 
rendering him somewhat familiar with the use of a 
pen, I am inclined to believe we are, in a great de- 
gree, indebted for the benefit which he has con- 
ferred on others by his subsequent rather volumin- 
ous writing. Near the end of the eighth chapter of 
the following Memoir allusion is made to the circum- 
stance which first called forth the use of his pen. 
From that hour an entirely new source of pleasure 
and usefulness was opened to his active and benevo- 



PBEFACE. 1$ 

lent mind; and now thousands of closely- written 
pages in his hand-writing attest how piously and 
diligently he improved it He, indeed, presents the 
remarkable phenomenon of a person who, with great 
diligence, toiled in business above half a century, 
acquired a sufficiency to retire with credit and com- 
fort to himself, and who with his pen filled up 
volumes, and wrote hundreds of letters ; and yet 1 
believe not a page or a letter was ever written by 
him on any other topic than experimental and prac- 
tical godliness ! Surely this is one way of showing 
how fully he "counted all things but loss for the 
excellency of the knowledge ol Christ Jesus his 
Lord." 

After this statement respecting the origin of the 
book, it is presumed, with some degree of confi- 
dence, that the literary reader's indulgence will not 
be asked in vain. The more important part of 
writing a free and perspicuous communication of 
his thoughts my father readily mastered ; yet, from 
the great simplicity of his mind, and the fervor of 
his soul, he was generally drawn out too eagerly to 
grasp at things to pay much attention to ortho- 
graphy, or the arrangement of words in a sentence. 
Still, such was the obvious improvement which he 
made, in every department of writing, during the 
first few years after he commenced what may be 
inoffensively termed his literary life, that I think it 
likely, had any one attempted to give him, at seventy- 
five, only a very few lessons on the subject, he would 
have readily learned to write with considerable ccr- 



30 PBEFACE- 

reetness. In tne mechanical part of the art of wrifr 
ing he excelled most men of his standing in life. 1 
have before me a letter on a post sheet, which was 
addressed to me ; it contains upward of two hun- 
dred lines, or more matter than is contained in 
several of the printed pages of this book ; and yet 
so carefully is the whole written, and so distinctly are 
the letters formed, that it is just as legible, and can 
be read with as much ease, as a plain letter from a 
clever school-boy. 

As my father's letters were so numerous, and 
mostly so lengthy, and have in general been so 
carefully preserved by his affectionate correspond- 
ents, it would have been very easy to produce a 
volume two or three times the size of the present. 
The few which are inserted will serve as a specimen 
of his pious exertions in the epistolary way. Should 
any of his friends be disappointed at not finding 
their letters here, after they had kindly forwarded 
them for the use of the editor, his apology is, he 
feared to swell the book to such a magnitude as 
would necessarily make its price too great for a 
numerous class of persons, to whom it will probably 
be more useful than to any others, and by whom it 
is likely to be most highly prized. 

In preparing the manuscripts for publication, the 
editor has felt it to be highly important to refrain 
as much as possible from altering the language,* 
that the narrator may, in his own words, tell hie 
own simple, affecting story. Where necessary re- 
trenchments and corrections have required a fe^i 



PREFACE. 31 

verbal alterations, there has been no interference 
with the obvious meaning of the writer. 

The editor cannot conclude his work, — in which 
he has felt unwonted pleasure and profit, — without 
expressing his hope that this little volume, however 
unpretending and defective in a literary point of 
view, will prove a blessing unto many. The Memoir 
of rich a man cannot be read by the well disposed 
without imparting something of the sacred unction 
which followed him from place to place, from house 
to house, and from one class to another ; and which 
rested upon him in his secret intercourse with God. 
His personal friends will drop a tear over many of 
the incidents which he has recorded ; and calling to 
mind how often the holy fire warmed their hearts, 
when he was present to join in their devotions, they 
will feel a momentary return of the vital joys con- 
nected with the many happy opportunities now 
passed into the rear of time. To his own children 
m the faith, no doubt, this record will yield some- 
thing more than a momentary pleasure. His own 
pious and telling narrative ; his instructions, admo- 
nitions, and prayers, followed by his triumphant 
death, will attract and impel them toward that hea- 
venly rest where they expect soon to meet again 
their beloved father in the gospel. And as to such 
as have been unfaithful in improving the grace 
which they once professed to receive through his 
instrumentality, I am inclined to hope and to be- 
lieve that some of them will be hereby again quick- 
ened, and restored to the liberty and enjoyment of 



22 PREFACE. 

the salvation of God. With respect to the thou- 
sands of the unsaved, whom he personally and ear- 
nestly warned and admonished, it is likely it will 
fall into the hands of many of them ; and I pray 
God that the perusal of it may bring their vows to 
their remembrance, and rivet on their consciences 
the solemn and important truths which their ears 
once heard from his thrilling voice. The pious 
reader, who personally knew him not, will doubtless 
soon recognize a kindred spirit, and " glorify God 
in him." 



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



It is a matter of no small gratification to the 
editor of this little work to find that a second edition 
is so soon called for; a large impression having been 
disposed of in about three months. From various 
quarters he has heard of the usefulness of the little 
volume. Many, it appears, especially aged and 
experienced Christians, have read it greatly to their 
souls' profit. With not a few it has produced a 
kind of new era in their " life of faith in the Son of 
God." For this the editor is devoutly thankful to 
the Author of all good, and earnestly prays that the 
divine blessing may still more especially attend its 
further circulation among the churches. Agreeably 
to the wish of the benevolent writer, the profits of 
this as well as of the former edition will be applied 
to the spread of the kingdom of Christ in the world 

Nov., 1835. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Imtroduc now — Birth — Parents — Providential de 
liverance — Conversion — Joins tfce Methodist Society — 
Obtains entire sanctification — Appointed class-leader— 
Marriage — Takes a farm — Removes to the parish of 
Gluvias — Becomes leader of the Ponsanooth class — 
Conversion of his children — Death of his wife — Great 
revival — Editor's remarks on it — Younger son enters 
into the ministry — Extracts from his first letters — Re- 
tires from the world — Remarks on his business and 
character Page 29 

CHAPTER II. 

Removes to Dowstall — Instances of usefulness — Con- 
version of Robert Jose's family — Diary — Visits Mabe — 
Editor's remarks — Diary — Visits Sparnock — "Work of 
God in that neighborhood — Visits to Mousehole, Pen- 
zance, Breage, Ponsanooth, St. Austell, Cambome, Mabe 
— Reflections on his birthday — Visits Probus — Conver- 
sion of a woman there — Reflections on the forty- seventh 
anniversary of his conversion — Extract of a letter to a 
class-leader — Receives a letter from his son — Consents 
to his becoming a missionary — Editor's remarks upon 
it 61 



26 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER III. 

Diary — Visits Bickton Mill, Callington, Devonport, 
Plymouth, Saltash, Breage, and Mousehole — Note re- 
specting R. Trewavas and son — Sick man at St. Day- 
Remarks from Mr. Bramwell — Diary — Gracious visit a 
cion in a fever — Visits to Mr. N. Earle's—^-Conversion of 
nis servants — Extracts from minutes of conference foi 
-821 — Visits Redruth, Camborne, &c. — Diary — Ex- 
tracts from letters Page 98 

CHAPTER IV 

Diary — Spiritual conflicts — State of spiritual religion 
— Visits Camborne — Diary — Visits Treworlas — Diary— 
Visits to Cury — Striking dream— Remarks on faith, and 
the witness of the Spirit — Conversion of a young woman 
in a consumption — Mr. Wesley's Sermons — Rendered 
very useful at Mullion — Extract of a letter to a local 
preacher — Spiritual birthday- — Visits Mullion, &c. — 
Attacked by a fever — -A sick man awakened — Happy 
death of his brother — Extensive revival — Account of S. 
Drew, Esq., of Jamaica 135 

CHAPTER V. 

Diary— Conversion of a sick woman — Death of Iwo 
backsliders — Visit to Mullion— Striking instance of a 
woman being restored to health— Extracts from Ladv 
Maxwell's Life — Visit to Stithians — A man awakened in 
sickness — Conversion of Mr. J. Box — Extract of a lettei 
from New South Wales — Death of Mr. J. B., and con- 
version of his brother — Remarkable season in prayer — 
Conversion of his sister-in-law 186 



CONTENT8. 27 



CHAPTER VL 

Diary — Extracts of letters to a local preacher — Very 
useful visits to St. Austell circuit — Several striking con- 
versions — Extracts from Rev. W. P. Burgess's Sermon — 
—Diary — -Death of his grandson — Visits Mevagissey, 
&c. — Remarkable conversions — Very useful at Mouse- 
aole in promoting an extraordinary revival there — Diary 
—Singular conversion — Extract of a letter — Remarka- 
ble conversion uf a drunkard Page 217 

CHAPTER VII. 

Diary — Extract of a letter from a young convert at 
Mousehole — Visits Gwennap, Mousehole, Penzance, 
Helston, Mullion, &c. — Two remarkable conversions — 

Letter to Mis3 D ; to a class-leader — Return of his 

son from New South Wales — Letter to a young class- 
leader — Diary — Visit to Ponsanooth — Diary — Spiritual 

birthday — Letter to Miss S , — Remark of Lady 

Maxwell — Visits Mousehole, Penzance, Breage, Mullion 
— Thrown from his horse at Polgrean, but escaped un- 
hurt — Visits Helston, Ponsanooth, and Mawnan — Letters 
—Diary — Visits Tregew and Flushing 851 

CHAPTER VIII 

Last visit to Mousehole and Penzance — Extract of a 
letter — Pays his final visit to Camborne — Extracts from 
letters — Remarks on his character and offices in the 
church, illustrated with various instances of useful- 
ness 889 



28 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Presentiment of his death— Remarks on the seventy 
of his last affliction —Journal of the editor, containing an 
account of his several visits to him during his illness — 
His death — Funeral— General remarks on his charac- 
ter by the Rev. W. Lawry — Further remarks on his 
Christian experience and profession — Practical infer 
ances Page 321 



MEMOIR OF CAEVOSSO.* 



CHAPTER I. 

When I have lately reflected on the forbear 
ance of God, in sparing me while I lived with- 
out him, amidst innumerable sins and provoca- 
tions, more than twenty years ; and have also 
considered the amazing displays of his mercy 
and love, during nearly half a century, since I 
fled as a poor penitent sinner to Jesus Christ for 
pardon and salvation; I have felt an ardent 
desire to write down something of his kind deal- 
ings toward me ; and more especially so since 
my dear son requested me to do it. Convinced 
in my own mind it is a duty so to do, I now sit 
down to make the attempt. I can appeal to 
Thee, O thou Searcher of hearts, that in this 
matter I aim at nothing but thy glory ; and my 
earnest prayer is, that to what I write thou 
wouldst give thy blessing for thy own name's 
sake. Amen. 

I was born March 11, 1750, near Mousehole, 
in the parish of Paul, county of Cornwall. Of 
my father I knew but little. He went to sea, in 

* Carvosso is not a name of foreign extraction, as its 
orthography has often been supposed to indicate, but if 
pure old Cornish, or ancient British and signifies a for 
tificaHon, or a fortified rock.— Ed. 



30 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

a trading vessel, when I was very young, ana 
was afterward taken by a press-gang, and put 
on board a man-of-war. He continued in the 
king's service many years, and died in Green- 
wich Hospital. My mother was a church wo- 
man, and one I trust who feared God, and 
found her way to heaven. We were four bro- 
thers and one sister. I was the youngest of the 
family, and till I was ten years of age lived with 
my mother, who daring this time carefully 
taught me to read. A respectable farmer, of 
the same parish, now requested me to come and 
live with him ; to this I cheerfully consented. 
After awhile my master became very earnest 
about having an indenture for me ; and just at 
this time, my father happening to come into 
Plymouth, he went up to him and got me bound 
till I was eighteen years of age. Three years 
after this my master died ; but, as I was treated 
with great kindness, I remained in the family 
eleven years. During this time, I was borne 
lown by the prevailing sins of the age ; such as 
cock-fighting, wrestling, card-playing, and sab- 
bath-breaking ; and though I cannot recollect 
that during this period I heard a sermon by a 
Methodist preacher, yet I was a regular attend- 
ant at my parish church. 

When I reflect on these years of my life, J 
cannot but praise God for his kind providence 
over me while I knew him not. How often am 
I constrained to say, — 

" Through hidden dangers, toils, and death, 
Thou, Lord, hast gently clear'd my way !** 



MEMOIB OP SARVOSSO. 31 

Twice I was near being drowned ; once, when 
a child, by falling into a river ; once, by at- 
tempting to cross over Hayle, on horseback, 
when the tide was too high : this was a very 
narrow escape. On another occasion I was 
thrown from a horse, and taken up for dead. 

In the year 1771 the Lord was pleased, in 
his mercy, to convert my sister ; and having 
tasted that the Lord was gracious, she came 
from Gwinear, a distance of twelve miles, to tell 
us of the happy news and to warn us to flee, 
from the wrath to come. On entering my mo 
ther's house on the sabbath morning, I was not 
a little surprised to find my sister on her knees 
praying with my mother and brothers. After 
she had concluded, she soon began to inquire 
what preparation I was making for eternity 
I was quite at a loss for an answer. She then 
asked me if I attended the preaching of the 
Methodists. I told her I did not. Upon this 
she particularly requested me to go that night. 
" And be sure," says she, " you hear for your- 
self."* As the evening drew r on, I felt a very 
strong desire to go to the preaching, which was 
at Newlyn, in a room on the Maddern side of 

* In the same fervent spirit in which this excellent 
woman commenced her Christian career, she continued 
to the end, Her subsequent life evinced that she could 
suffer, as well as do, the will of her Master. She was 
" a burning and a shining light ;" and finished her 
course in the triumph of faith, after she had " walked in 
the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy 
Ghoat" about eighteen years. — Ed. 



32 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

the river. As soon as I entered the place, 1 
steadfastly fixed my eyes on the preacher, who 
was Mr. Thomas Hanson. His text was, " We 
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did 
beseech you by us : we pray you in Christ's 
6tead, be ye reconciled to God." The word 
quickly reached my heart ; the scales fell off 
from my eyes ; and I saw and felt I was in " the 
gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." 
I had such a sight of the damning nature of sin, 
and what I had done against God, that I was 
afraid the earth would have opened and swal- 
lowed me up. I then made a solemn promise 
to the Lord, that if he would spare me I would 
serve him all my days. I now gave up my 
sins, and all my old companions, at a stroke ; 
and at once determined, if I could see any one 
going to heaven, I would join him. For my- 
self I was determined to go to heaven, cost what 
it would. That night I had a hard struggle 
with Satan, about praying before I went to bed. 
He appeared as if he was by me, and labored to 
terrify me with his presence, and the cross of 
the duty ; but the Lord helped me against the 
temptation, by applying that portion of Scrip- 
ture, " Let your light so shine before men that 
they may see your good works," &c. Satan 
instantly fled, and I fell on my knees. It would 
be too tedious to mention everything that passed, 
and all my inward struggles, before I found the 
Lord I suffered much for many days, but 
about the space of eight hours before I received 
the pardon of sin, I might say with David, u The 



MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 33 

^ains of hell gat hold upon me ;" and the adver- 
sary of my soul harassed me with this temptation, 
" The day of grace is passed ; it is now too late. ' 
I had no one to instruct or encourage me, no 
one to point me to Christ ; I knew nothing of 
the way of faith, nor had I been at a class meet- 
ing. I remember, however, that in the midst 
of the conflict, I said, in answer to .the power- 
ful suggestions of the devil, "lam determined, 
whether I am saved or lost, that, while I have 
breath, I will never cease crying for mercy." 
The very moment I formed this resolution in 
my heart, Christ appeared within, and God par- 
doned all my sins, and set my soul at liberty. 
The Spirit itself now bore witness with my spi- 
rit that I was a child of God. This was about 
nine o'clock at night, May 6, 1771 ; and never 
shall I forget that happy hour. 

From experience I now well knew that Satan 
was a " roaring lion," but I was not yet aware 
of his being able to transform himself into " an 
angel of light." He now told me, I must not 
declare what I had experienced ; that if I did, I 
should at once fall into condemnation. I was 
caught in a snare, and without the least hesita- 
tion I said, " Then I will take care not to men- 
tion it." For two days I kept it from my 
brother, who lived in the same family, and was 
laboring under the same distress of mind as 
that from which I had been delivered. But 
overhearing some friends at Mousehole, after 
they came out of a meeting, talk on the subject 
of their knowing their sins forgiven, I was drawn 



84 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

to join in the conversation, and told them oi 
what I had felt. The delusion under which 
I labored now vanished, and I at once saw the 
matter in a Scripture light: that "no man 
iighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel ;" 
but, that as " with the heart man believeth untc 
righteousness," so "with the mouth confession 
is made unto salvation." 

Here I would remark, how wonderful is 
God's method of saving sinners, and spreading 
the knowledge of his grace ! My sister was 
converted at the distance of many miles from 
us ; but, in the fullness of her heart, she came 
that distance to tell us what great things the 
Lord had done for her, and to invite us to par- 
take of the same salvation. The Lord was 
pleased to bless her visit, and make it instru- 
mental in bringing my brother Benedict anr 7 
myself to the knowledge of the truth. 

My brother and I both joined the society at 
Mousehole at the same time. At this period 
the society there was very small, consisting of 
one class only. In this class the principal per- 
sons, whose names I can recollect, were John 
Harvey and his wife, (in whose house both the 
class meeting and preaching were held,) Jacob 
George and his wife, Joseph Beaden and hig 
wife, John Yeoman and his two daughters, and 
Richard Wright, who afterward became a travel- 
ing preacher, and was one of the first who went 
to America. 

In the same happy frame of mind, which 
3od brought me into at my conversion, I went 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 60 

on for the space of three months, not expecting 
any more conflicts ; but, 0, how greatly was I 
mistaken ! I was a young recruit, and knew 
not of the warfare I had to engage in. But I 
was soon taught that I had only enlisted as a 
soldier to fight for King Jesus ; and that I had 
not only to contend with Satan and the world from 
without, but with inward enemies also ; which 
now began to make no small stir. Having 
never conversed with any one who enjoyed 
purity of heart, nor read any of Mr. Wesley's 
works, I was at a loss both with respect to the 
nature and the way to obtain the blessing of 
full salvation. From my first setting out in the 
way to heaven, I determined to be a Bible 
Christian ; and though I had not much time 
for reading many books, yet I blessed God, 1 
had his own word, the Bible, and could look 
into it. This gave me a very clear map of the 
way to heaven, and told me that " without holi- 
ness no man could see the Lord." It is impos- 
sible for me to describe what I suffered from 
" an evil heart of unbelief." My heart appear- 
ed to me as> a small garden with a large stump 
of a tree in it, which had been recently cut 
down level with the ground, and a little loose 
earth strewed over it. Seeing something shoot- 
ing up I did not like, on attempting to pluck it 
up, I discovered the deadly remains of the car- 
nal mind, and what a work must be done before 
I could be " meet for the inheritance of the 
saints in light." My inward nature appeared 
so black and sinful, that I felt it impossible to 



86 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

rest in that state. Some, perhaps, will imagine 
that this may have arisen from the want of 
the knowledge of forgiveness. That could not 
be the case, for I never had one doubt of my 
acceptance ; the witness was so clear, thai 
Satan himself knew it was in vain to attack me 
from that quarter. I had ever kept in remem- 
brance 

44 The blessed nour when from above 
I first received the pledge of love." 

What I now wanted was " inward holiness ;" 
and for this I prayed and searched the Scriptures. 
Among the number of promises, which I found 
in the Bible, that gave me to see it was my pri- 
vilege to be saved from all sin, my mind was 
particularly directed to Ezek. xxxvi, 25-27 : 
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, 
and ye shall be clean : from all your filthiness, 
and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A 
new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit 
will I put within you : and I will take away 
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will 
give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my 
Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my 
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and 
do them." This is the great and precious pro 
mise of the eternal Jehovah, and I laid hold of 
it, determined not to stop short of my privilege, 
for I saw clearly the will of God was my sanc- 
tification. The more I examined the Scriptures, 
the more I was convinced that without holiness 
there could be no heaven. Many were the hard 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 37 

struggles which I had with unbelief, and Satan 
told me that if I ever should get it, I should 
never be able to retain it ; but keeping close tc 
the word of God, with earnest prayer and 
supplication, the Lord gave me to see that 
nothing short of it would do in a dying hour 
•and the judgment-day. Seeing this, it was my 
constant cry to God that he would cleanse my 
heart from all sin, and make me holy, for the 
sake of Jesus Christ. I well remember return- 
ing one night from a meeting, with my mind 
greatly distressed from a want of the blessing : 
I turned into a lonely barn to wrestle with God 
in secret prayer. While kneeling on the thresh- 
ing floor, agonizing for the great salvation, this 
promise was applied to my mind, " Thou art all 
fair, my love ; there is no spot in thee." But, 
(ike poor Thomas, I was afraid to believe, lest 
I should deceive myself. what a dreadful 
enemy is unbelief! Thomas was under its 
wretched influence only eight days before Jesus 
appeared to him ; but I was a fortnight after 
this groaning for deliverance, and saying, " 
wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me 
from the body of this death ?" I yielded to un- 
belief, instead of looking to Jesus, and believing 
on him for the blessing ; not having then clear- 
ly discovered that the witness of the Spirit is 
God's gift, not my act, but given to all who ex- 
orcise faith in Jesus and the promise made 
through him. At length, one evening, while 
engaged in a prayer meeting, the great deliver 
ance came. I began to exercise faith, by W 



38 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

lieving " I shall have the blessing now." Just 
at that moment a heavenly influence filled the 
room ; and no sooner had I uttered or spoken 
the words from my heart, " I shall have the 
blessing now," than refining fire went " through 
my heart, — illuminated my soul,— scattered its 
life through every part, and sanctified the 
whole." I then received the full witness of the 
Spirit that the blood of Jesus had cleansed me 
from all sin. I cried out, "This is what I 
wanted ! I have now got a new heart." I was 
emptied of self and sin, and filled with God. I 
felt I was nothing, and Christ was all in all. 
Him I now cheerfully received in all his offices ; 
my Prophet to teach me, my Priest to atone for 
me, my King to reign over me. 

" Amazing love ! how can it be 
That thou, my Lord, shouldst die for me !" 

what boundless, boundless happiness there is 
in Christ, and all for such a poor sinner as I 
am ! This happy change took place in my soul 
March 13, 1772. 

Soon after this, Mr. Wesley's pamphlet on 
Christian Perfection was put into my hand. 1 
do not know that I had ever seen any of his 
works before. On reading this little work, I 
was filled with amazement, to think that a man 

1 had never seen could read my heart in such a 
manner. This tended greatly to establish me 
in the truth of the gospel. 

About three years after I became a member 
of the society, I was requested to take the charge 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 39 

of a little class ; to which I submitted in the fear 
of God. I had been a leader about four or five 
years, when I was convinced it was my duty to 
alter my condition in life, by exchanging the 
state of a single for that of a married man. In 
this matter I ever believed I was divinely direct- 
ed ; for God gave me a wife who proved a help- 
meet for me all the days of her life. In mat- 
ters temporal and spiritual, I always found her 
a lasting blessing to me. 

On entering into the marriage state, I took a 
small farm near Mousehole, and engaged my- 
self on the seine in the summer, during the 
pilchard season. Though our accommodations 
were humble, for some years the preachers 
lodged with us. But I never found the sea to 
agree with me, and at length I earnestly prayed 
that God would direct my steps, and fix me in 
some place where I might support myself and 
family wholly on the land ; and soon he conde- 
scended to grant me the desire of my heart. 
For this I hope I shall praise him in time and 
to all eternity. 

Unsolicited, and in a manner which I did not 
expect, my way was opened to take a farm in 
the parish of Gluvias, near Ponsanooth. And 
here, at Christmas, 1788, I brought a beloved 
wife and two children, and before the end of a 
year came round we had another son. In en- 
tering on our new sphere of life, with little 
capital, we had many unpleasant things to en- 
counter , but the Lord was with us, and brought 
us through all. 



40 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

Here I found my outward religious privileges 
were widely different from what they were at 
Mousehole ; it was like being brought from the 
land of Goshen into a dry and barren wilder- 
ness. There was no chapel in the neighbor- 
hood ; but at a farm-house, about three quarters 
of a mile distant, we had preaching once a fort- 
night. Here was a little class, feeble and des- 
titute enough : for it had no leader, (he having 
been removed some time before,) and not one 
of the members could even assist in holding a 
prayer meeting. When I beheld these few 
poor sheep in the wilderness without a shep- 
herd, I began to discover the reason why God 
had brought me from the distance of twenty-six 
miles and fixed me in this place. 

I took the charge of the little class, and went 
on for some 'years without seeing much good 
done. At length, two pious men came into the 
neighborhood for a short time to work, and 
I was led, in rather a singular manner, and 
without knowing their characters, to give them 
lodging at my house. With their help, a prayer 
meeting was now commenced ; and about this 
time I saw it my duty, though the Lord had 
given me but one talent, to attempt in the 
prayer meetings to give a word of exhortation. 
I saw sinners perishing without repentance, 
and the Lord seemed to say to me, " Their blood 
will I require at thy hands." With fear and 
trembling I opened my mouth to beseech them 
to flee from the wrath to come. And soon after, 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 41 

to our great joy, it pleased the Lord to convince 
and concert a few souls, and add them to our 
little number. 

It was about this time that the Lord conde- 
scended to hear prayer, and convert my two 
elder children. Returning one night from the 
quarterly meeting love-feast at Redruth, in com- 
pany with a pious friend, he told me he had the 
unspeakable happiness the night before to wit- 
ness the conversion of his young daughter while 
he held her in his arms. I informed him I had 
two children who were getting up to mature 
age, but I was grieved to say I had not yet seen 
any marks of a work of God upon their minds. 
His reply I shall never forget : — " Brother," 
says he, " has not God promised to pour his 
Spirit upon thy seed, and his blessing upon thy 
offspring ?" The words went through me in 
an unaccountable manner ; they seemed to take 
hold of my heart : I felt as if I had not done 
my duty, and resolved to make a new effort in 
prayer. I had always prayed for my children : 
but now I grasped the promise with the hand 
of faith, and retired daily at special seasons to put 
the Lord to his word. I said nothing of what I 
felt, or did, to anyone but the Searcher of hearts, 
with whom I wrestled in an agony of prayer. 

About a fortnight after I had been thus en 
gaged with God, being at work in the field, 1 
received a message from my wife, informing me 
that I was wanted within. When I entered the 
house, my wife told me, " Grace is above stairs, 



42 MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 

apparently distressed for something ; but nothing 
can be got from her, but that she must see father.' 5 
Judge of my feelings, when I found my daugh- 
ter a weeping penitent at the feet of Jesus. On 
seeing me she exclaimed, " O father, I am afraid 
[ shall go to hell !" The answer of my full 
heart was, " No, glory be to God, I am not 
afraid of that now." She said she had felt the 
load of sin about a fortnight, and that now she 
longed to find Christ. I pointed her to the true 
Physician, and she soon found rest through faith 
in the atoning blood. My eldest son had hitherto 
been utterly careless about the things of God, 
and associated with youths of a similar dispo- 
sition of mind ; but now he became the subject 
of a manifest change ; he cast off his old com- 
panions ; and one Sunday afternoon, just before 
I was going to meet my class, he came to me 
with a sorrowful mind, and expressed his desire 
to go with me to the class meeting : he did go, 
and that day cast in his lot with the people of 
God ; and, blessed be his holy name, they both 
continue to this day. 

The society had now considerably increased, 
and the barren wilderness began to rejoice. We 
had two large classes, but no one had yet arisen 
to assist me as a leader. We had now preaching 
twice a week, and the place where we assembled 
became too small for the congregation, and 
there was also much uncertainty about our be- 
ing able to occupy it much longer : I therefore 
saw it my duty to do my utmost to get a little 
chapel erected, before the Lord should remove 



MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 43 

me from them. After much labor and anxiety, 
a suitable spot was procured for the purpose. 
To build the chapel was a great work for us ; 
but by labor, giving what we could, and beg- 
ging of those whom the Lord inclined to help 
us, we at length saw the blessed work accom- 
plished. And now that I beheld the desire of 
my heart given me, O how did I rejoice and 
exult in the God of my salvation ! 

The work of the Lord prospered more and 
more in the society ; and I now began to feel a 
particular concern for the salvation of my 
younger son. I laid hold by faith on the same 
promise which I had before urged, when plead- 
ing for my other children, and went to the same 
place to call upon my God in his behalf. One 
day while I was wrestling with God in mighty 
prayer for him, these words were applied with 
power to my mind : " There shall not a hoof be 
left behind." I could pray no more ; my prayer 
was lost in praises ; in shouts of joy, and " Glory, 
glory, glory ! the Lord will save all my family !" 
While I am writing this, the silent tears flow 
down from my eyes. His life was quite moral, 
I could not reprove him for any outward sin. 
In his leisure hours his delight was in studying 
different branches of useful knowledge ; but 
this, though good in its place, was not religion ; 
I knew his heart was yet estranged from God. 
After the answer I had in prayer, I waited 
some time, hoping to see the change effected in 
him as it was in his sister and brother ; but this 
not taking place according to my expectations, 



44 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

I felt my mind deeply impressed with the duty 
of embracing the first opportunity of opening my 
mind to him, and talking closely to him about 
eternal things. I accordingly came to him on 
one occasion when he was, as usual, engaged 
with his books : and with my heart deeply 
affected, I asked him if it was not time for him 
to enter upon a life of religion. I told him 
" with tears," that I then felt my body was fail- 
ing, and that if anything would distress my 
mind in a dying hour, it would be the thought of 
closing my eyes in death before I saw him con- 
verted to God. This effort the Lord was 
pleased to bless : the truth took hold of his heart ; 
he went with me to the class meeting, and soon 
obtained the knowledge of salvation by the re- 
mission of his sins. This was a matter of great 
joy and rejoicing to me and my dear wife ; we 
had now the unspeakable happiness of seeing 
all our dear children converted to God, and 
traveling in the way to heaven with us. 

Our place of worship now again became too 
strait for us; and the society and friends of 
God's cause had so increased, that after much 
deliberation it was resolved to pull down the 
chapel that had been erected a few years before, 
and build a much larger one on the same site, 
and attach a burying-ground to it. This was 
done accordingly ; but I did not take so promi- 
nent a part in it as on the former occasion ; 
God had now raised up others to take this bur- 
den from me. 

In the month of June, 1813, it pleased the 



MEMOIR OF CASVOSSO. 45 

Lord to visit me with a severe and heavy trial, 
by bereaving me of my dearly beloved wife. 
She died of that painful disease, a cancer in the 
breast. In the beginning of her complaint, two 
physicians were consulted ; but, by reason of a 
difference of opinion between them, it was 
never cut out. For .eighteen months she suf- 
fered at times indescribably ; but the Lord 
wonderfully supported her. She bore up jnder 
her affliction in a most astonishing manner. 
Such were the manifestations of the divine 
presence to her soul, that in the midst of her 
severest sufferings, she would often sweetly 
sing her favorite hymns ; and so loud as to be 
heard over all the house. " The God of Abra- 
ham praise" was the hymn she much delighted 
in singing ; especially these two verses : — 

" The God of Abraham praise, 
Whose all-sufficient grace 
Shall guide me all my happy days 
In all his ways. 
He calls a worm his friend, 
He calls himself my God ; 
And he shall save me to the end, 
Through Jesus' blood. 

" He by himself hath sworn, 
I on his oath depend ; 
i shall, on eagle's wings upborne, 
To heaven ascend : 
I shall behold his face, 
I shall his power adore, 
And sing the wonders of his grace 
• For evermore." 

One morning, when distracted by pain^ sh« 



46 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

said, " Do not trouble yourself about my ever- 
lasting state, for the Lord has given me such 
an assurance of hope, that should pain be per- 
mitted utterly to deprive me of my reason, I 
know I should go to heaven." A short time 
before she expired, she called me and my son 
Benjamin to her bedside, and requested us to 
sing that beautiful hymn, — 

" Let earth and heaven agree," &c. 

She sweetly joined with us as far as her 
strength would admit ; and the triumph of faith 
and love contained in the hymn appeared the 
language of her heart. Just before she fell 
asleep in Jesus, she said, " The rest shall be 
glorious/' I was enabled, without a murmuring 
thought, to offer her up unto the Lord as hin 
own gift, in the full assurance of faith, that wo 
should soon meet in heaven to part no more for 
ever. She was the first person interred in the 
Ponsanooth burying-ground ; and I intend that 
my body shall be put in the same grave when 
I die ; that we may sleep together till the great 
day when the "trumpet shall sound, and the 
dead shall be raised incorruptible;" and we, 
and I trust all our dear children with us, shall 
fly up and be for ever with the Lord.* 

Soon after this, in the beginning of the year 
1814, a great and glorious revival broke out at 
Redruth, and spread to various parts of Corn- 
wall. It was such a revival as nay eyes never 

* See a furtner account of my mother in the We» 
leyan Methodist Magazine for 1815. — Edit. 



MEMOIK OF CARVOSSO 47 

saw before. I call it " a glorious levival," foi 
such it proved to my own soul ; my faith was 
so increased to see the mighty power of God dis- 
played in. convincing and converting such vast 
multitudes. For this great and merciful visita- 
tion numbers will praise God to all eternity. 
It has been my privilege to witness the happy 
deaths of many who were brought to the know- 
ledge of the truth at this time. At Ponsanooth 
we partook largely of the general good. The 
society, which, twenty-five years before, con- 
sisted of one small and feeble class, now became 
a society of near two hundred members, divided 
into eleven classes. Three of these came under 
my care, and one of them was committed to my 
younger son, who had for some time before 
acted as a local preacher. 

[* Of all the various revivals of religion, of 
which Cornwall has been so remarkable a 
scene since Methodism was first planted in it, 
the revival of which my father here speaks is 
by many considered the most striking and in- 
teresting. It is, therefore, now generally dis- 
tinguished by the epithet of " the great revival." 
It commenced in the month of February, at a 
prayer meeting in this town, (Redruth,) when 
eight persons found peace with God. The night 
following, at another prayer meeting, many 
more were powerfully seized with convictions 
for sin ; and, after much wrestling and impor- 

* These, and all subsequent remarks in the narrative 
ncluded within [ ] brackets, are inserted by the 
editor. 



48 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

tumty in prayer, they found refuge in the 
Saviour. From this time, serious concern be- 
came very general ; and, in the course of the 
following week, many hundreds in. the town 
and neighborhood, who had before been living in 
neglect of their souls, were brought into deep 
distress about their spiritual interests, and 
multitudes of them were enabled with much 
soundness of speech to testify that they had 
experienced remission of sins. About a week 
after this extraordinary work commenced, the 
rumor of it drew me to the scene, and I spent 
the greater part of one night with the people in 
the chapel. The pungency of the " penitential 
pain," the extent of the distress, the fervor of 
devotion, the number of happy young converts 
whose countenances were beaming with joy, far 
exceeded anything of the kind I have since wit- 
nessed. The heavenly flame was soon carried 
to the various societies in the circuit ; and in 
those different places similar scenes were pre- 
sented to the wondering beholders. At Tuck- 
ingmill, the effect was so simultaneous, general, 
and powerful, that the meeting which com- 
menced in the chapel on Sunday the 27th could 
not be broken up, but continued without inter- 
mission till the Friday morning following. It 
rapidly extended to the neighboring circuits ; 
and, in the course of a few weeks only, more 
than five thousand of the ignorant, trifling, and 
immoral world became seriously concerned 
about eternal things, united themselves to reli- 
gious society, and exhibited in their external 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO # 49 

demeanor all that is beautiful in the early 
blossoms of piety and virtue. It is true that 
very many of these "heirs of promise," ere 
long, fell away, and returned to their old prac- 
tices ; but it is also true, that, to this day, mul- 
titudes of them are found steadfast in the ways 
of God, and that hundreds, if not thousands, of 
them have " died in faith ;" testifying with their 
latest breath that they had not " received the 
grace of God in vain." In promoting this 
great and " glorious work," as my father calls 
it, he was a very active and useful agent ; and 
I believe thereby partook of an abundant in- 
crease of spiritual life and strength, which had 
a happy effect on all the subsequent movements 
of his life.] 

My daughter and elder son being married, I 
had now none of my family Avith me but my son 
Benjamin ; to whom I was united in love and 
affection more than I can express. But, lo and 
behold ! the time was now come when I must 
give up my Benjamin to the Lord. I was pre- 
sent at the quarterly meeting, held at Redruth, 
March, 1814, when Mr. Truscott, then superin- 
tendent of the circuit, proposed to the meeting 
that he should be recommended to the ensuing 
conference to be employed as a traveling 
preacher. This was passed unanimously, for 
I did not dare to oppose it, being quite con- 
vinced it was of the Lord ; for I had reason to 
think, even from circumstances connected with 
his childhood, that God had destined him for 
the ministry. He passed the district meeting; 
4 



50 6 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

and, being accepted by the conference, he wa* 
appointed the first year to Plymouth Dock (now 
Devonport) circuit. When the time came for 
parting, we mingled our tears together, but re- 
signed ourselves to the will of the Lord. 

[To do justice to my father, it is necessary to 
insert the following extract from his first let- 
ter, which was written to me, and by which 
I was much surprised, affected, and comforted ; 
surprised, — because I had never before known 
him to attempt to communicate his thoughts by 
writing; affected, — at the proof of his tender 
parental affection ; and comforted, — by his faith, 
and the pious and consoling observations which 
the letter contains. This letter was the more 
welcome to me, because it came at a time when 
my mind was greatly dejected by the natural 
discouragements attendant on entering into the 
ministry. The writing is very legible; but, 
contrasted with his letters written a few years 
afterward, it is, in every way, very inferior. 
It is dated a fortnight after I left home. The 
leader who was appointed to my class was his 
own son in the gospel, having been awakened 
under an exhortation which he gave in a 
neighboring society a few years before. Bro- 
ther Grose was an eminently pious class-leader, 
and a very dear friend both to my father and 
myself. To his affectionate, persevering, and 
powerful prayers, I was much indebted for some 
years. This man of God, whose name I delight 
to record, lived and died in the triumph of faith 
<md hope. 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 01 

"November 8, 181 1. 
"My Dear Son, — I received your lettei 
with joy, and am thankful for the kindness 
which the people manifest toward you. May 
the Lord make you a blessing to their souls ! 
I am confident God will be with you from what 
I have felt in my own mind. The Friday 
morning after you left me, while engaged in 
prayer to God for you, he so filled my soul with 
his love that I have been happy ever since. 1 
am resigned to God's will, and it is sweet in- 
deed ; so that I would not have you be dis- 
tressed in mind about me. O may God fill you 
with faith and love, and a burning zeal for his 
glory and the good of souls ! All things will be 
pleasant while Christ is precious to you. Al- 
ways remember, that without him we can do 
nothing. May he be your Prophet, Priest, and 
King ! See you preach him in all his offices. I 
am ready to say, — 

' for a trumpet voice, 
On all the world to call , 
To bid their hearts rejoice 
In Him who died for all !' 

may you be enabled to feed the church of 
God, which he hath purchased with his own 
blood ! Remember, Christ says, ' Feed my 
lambs ;' these must be fed with the sincere milk 
of the word. He also says, ' Feed my sheep ;' 
press them on to greater degrees of faith and 
holiness. Soul-work is important work; on 
this account I feel for you ; and my prayer to 
God, daily and hourlv, is, that he may be with 



52 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

you, and make his word spirit and life; and 
send it home to every heart and every con- 
science. O may you feel for sinners on the 
brink of ruin, and may you have the pleasure cf 
hearing them cry for mercy, and of pointing 
them to the wounds of a crucified/ Saviour : and 
may Jesus be present to bind up their broken 
hearts ! Tell them that he is a medicine for 
their every wound, and that ' all — all they want 
is there.' You know the great end of preaching 
is to save souls ; but if you should not see the 
seed immediately spring up, wait with patience : 
it may not produce the worse crop. Pray that 
it may take root downward, and then it will 
spring up in due time* 

4 O for a firm and lasting faith, 
To credit all the Almighty saith !' 

And may he give you all the wisdom and grace 
to fit you for the work ! Mr. Truscott dined 
with me on Sunday ; he gives his kind love to 
you, and would be glad to have a line from you. 
He told me he would write to you again. By 
the decision of the leaders' meeting, John Rich- 
ards is fixed to be the leader of your class. 
Much prayer is offered up for you by preachers 
and people. Brother Grose says he is always 
happy when praying for you ; he gives his kind 
love to you. The spelling is bad, but I hope 
you will find out my meaning." 

([Before wo proceed with the narrative, an 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 58 

extract from his second letter to me may not be 
unacceptable to the reader. It further shows, 
not only his sympathy, but his ability to instruct 
and succor those who needed his aid. 

" December 13, 1814. 
" My Dear and Loving Son, — Your long- 
expected letter came safe to hand, and I was 
glad to hear that my letter was made a blessing 
to your soul ; but was sorry to find your mind 
anyways weighed down. Suppose we are not 
vessels of gold or silver, you know the earthen- 
ware ought not to be despised. Remember the 
precious Jesus with his towel and basin, and 
learn of him to be meek and lowly of heart, and 
you shall find rest to your soul : and let me tell 
you, I can find no other way. Besides, more 
has been done by the ram's horn than by the 
silver trumpet. A good man observes, ' Every 
one cannot be excellent, yet may be useful. An 
iron key may unlock the door of golden trea- 
sures. Yea, iron can do some things that gold 
cannot.' O what a wretched enemy self is to 
the poor pilgrim ! How close it sticks ! and may 
I not say, it is a dreadful murderer ? The great 
lesson is to learn obedience to the will of God. 
We are the clay, and he is the potter. It will 
take some time to learn this lesson as we ought. 
I am not yet half perfect in it. How reasona- 
ble that we should be tried ! I never saw this 
so clearly as I have of late ; while waves and 
storms have gone over my head; and my 
strength, and health, and friends, are departed 



54 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

from me. But while I am left alone, God is 
with me, and I can say, — 

4 On this my steadfast soul relies, 
Father, thy mercy never dies.' 

What I feel for you, none knows but God and 
my own soul. A few days ago, while I was 
going to see one of my class, who is sick, I was 
praying for you, as I went along the road, and 
God gave me a precious promise for you, and 
assured me his grace was sufficient for you. At 
this my soul leaped for joy within me, and 
streams of gratitude flowed from my heart to 
God on your account. i how strong was my 
faith for you at that time ! My dear son, hang 
on Christ alone ; then you will be safe, and he 
will make crooked paths straight, and rough 
places smooth."] 

For many months after my son left me to enter 
upon his great and important work, being quite 
alone on my farm, and the prices of all articles 
of produce being in a very fluctuating state, I 
was at times much perplexed as to the course I 
ought to take for the future. At seasons I was 
much weighed down, and could only find com- 
fort in looking from my outward circumstances. 
At times the Lord greatly comforted me by his 
precious promises, and I was much blessed in 
laboring to make myself useful to souls. I 
had no desire to seek riches ; yet 'f I were as- 
sured it was the path of duty to continue a little 
longer in business, I was willing to submit 



MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 55 

though I scarcely knew how I should get 
through. In this state of things, I spread my 
case before the Lord, and earnestly sought di- 
rection from above. He saw my motive was to 
please him, and he condescended to direct me. 
One evening, while sitting alone and consider- 
ing whether I ought to give up my farm and 
free myself from the cares of the world, these 
words came with power to my mind : " Behold, 
I have set before thee an open door." I imme- 
diately considered it the voice of the Lord, and 
my heart replied, " Then I will at once go out 
of the world, and retire from all its cares." From 
this moment I saw my way clear; I was en- 
tirely freed from the world, and resolved to give 
up my few remaining days wholly to the service 
and glory of God. When my friends, belonging 
to the society at Ponsanooth, heard of my deter- 
mination, sorrow filled, their hearts, and it was 
with the greatest difficulty they could bring their 
minds at all to submit to it. On laying the mat- 
ter before the preachers and the leaders' meet- 
ing, it was thought best for me to continue as 
the nominal leader of my three classes, and to 
visit them as often as I could ; three other lead- 
ers, or assistant leaders, being appointed to take 
charge of them in my absence. Thus it has 
continued to the present time. 

[As we have now seen the subject of these 
Memoirs close his worldly affairs, and retire 
from the bustle and anxieties of business, before 
we follow him in the important movements of 
his new career, in the leisure of life, we may 



56 MEMOIK OF CARVOSSO. 

profitably spend a few remarks on such traits of 
his business character as are most worthy of 
notice and imitation. Here he operated within 
a narrow sphere, for which reason his example 
is better calculated to teach ; as the world's hap- 
piness depends on managing well a little, rather 
than much. 

[He was an example of industry, both as a 
servant and as a man pursuing his own busi- 
ness. While he acted under an employer, his 
diligence and trustiness in every department of 
his duty commended him from his early youth 
to his master's special esteem and confidence. 
Whatever was committed to his care, so far as 
the diligence of his hand, or the fidelity of his 
heart was concerned, was in good keeping, often, 
indeed, far better than in the owner's own hands. 
As a religious servant, or a servant professing 
godliness, he " adorned the doctrine of God his 
Saviour in all things." In his own affairs, afteT 
he settled on a farm, his industry was proverbial 
He began with little, and got on " by the sweat 
of his brow." To him, however, this was no 
slavery; for he went forth with cheerful feet, 
and grateful delight, to " labor truly to get his 
own living, and to do his duty, in that state of 
life unto which it had pleased God to call him.'' 
His industrious hands soon produced a striking 
change on his farm. When he entered on it, it 
was a mere desert, on which his neighbors pro- 
phesied he would soon starve ; but, within a few 
years, it became a favorite spot, exhibiting the 
happy effecta of good management and diligent 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 57 

culture. As he could not bear sloth in himself, 
neither would he bear it in others ; hence, as a 
master, when occasion required, he would, with 
stinging, stirring words, move on those about him. 

[His punctuality, also, deserves imitation. 
Whether he was to make a payment, or perform 
any other duty, the thing must not only be done, 
but it must be done, if possible, in the earliest 
part of the time allotted. Never, perhaps, did 
a man more practically adhere to the ancient 
maxim of " taking time by the forelock." From 
what he had to do, no business which belonged 
to other men could detain him a moment. No 
one waited for him ; for he could no more rob 
men of their time than of their money. In their 
dealings with him, disappointment was an evil 
over which none had to mourn. The work 
which should be done to-day was never put off 
till to-morrow ; nor what should be attended to 
in the morning, left undone till evening. He 
seemed always to feel the force of these words: 
" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might :" and, as far as his influence could 
extend, he endeavored to make others as prompt 
as himself. One of his oft-repeated and well- 
remembered aphorisms was, " Make haste, for 
you will find the time all busy." How well had 
it been for the honor and interest of religion, if 
this practical regard to punctuality had been 
more observed, both by servants and by men of 
business. 

[In his views and habits he was unambitious 
and anti-speculative. " Mind not high things," 



58 MEMOIR OF CAEVOSSO. 

was a precept to which he strictly adhered; 
and hence no one could ever draw him aside 
to embark either in vain politics or in airy 
schemes to advance his worldly interests. 
With great simplicity he aimed/ at duty and 
heaven. He sought nothing more than a 
moderate competency of this world's good; for 
this he quietly, honestly, and manfully struggled; 
with this God blessed him ; and, in the posses 
sion of it, he had the wisdom to live as content- 
edly and happily as most men. After the Lord 
had prospered the labor of his hands, he was 
not wanting in opportunity to enlarge his bor- 
ders ; but all his needs were supplied, and he 
had little inclination to burden himself with the 
unnecessary cares of the world. He neither 
desired the benefits, nor would he partake in 
the miseries of speculation. No one could ever 
induce him to take a share in a mine. Some 
of his friends pressed him vehemently ; but feel- 
ing that such undertakings were not to him the 
path of duty, his uniform answer was, " I am 
not called to engage in such matters." For his 
faithful adherence to this principle, he felt him- 
self amply rewarded at last. Not long before 
he quitted his farm, one of his most intimate 
friends came to see him, bringing with him a 
mining agent, and they used every argument in 
their power to induce him to venture ; but he 
declined having anything to do with their flat- 
tering schemes, " because it was not his business 
to venture beyond i a plough deep.' " Like 
many other affairs of the kind, the mme i» 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 59 

question soon turned out badly ; and in his last 
sickness, while gratefully enumerating the mer- 
cies of Him who had watched over him all his 
life long to do him good, my father observed to 
me, with some emotion, that had he suffered 
himself to be prevailed on in that instance, he 
should have been stripped of all the little fruits 
of his industry at a stroke, and reduced to indi- 
gence all the remainder of his days. What a 
number of Christian families would have been 
saved from the ruinous snares of riches ; and 
how many more from the overwhelming trials 
of disappointments and failures, had there been 
the same stern adherence to the path of duty, 
as that which is here exemplified in the subject 
of these Memoirs ! 

[Another commendable trait in this branch 
of my father's character was, his carrying re- 
ligion into the world, and at the same time keep- 
ing the world out of religion. " Not slothful in 
business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord:" 
on this text his ufe has supplied me with a bet- 
ter comment than any other I have yet seen : 
and as such I have frequently quoted it. He 
certainly was not one of those who called upon 
God for help without " setting their shoulder to 
the wheel;" for some who have seen him so 
earnest at the wheel, have, I apprehend, been 
under a degree of temptation to question whe- 
ther he had not forgotten the other part of his 
duty, or at least whether he had a proper confi- 
dence in it ; but assuredly, while he attended to 
the one, he did not leave the other undone* 



60 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

Like the people under the direction of Nehe 
miah, he had "a mind to work," and at th* 
same time he adopted their practice, and "made 
his prayer to his God." As he would some- 
times pounce on the slothful and make them 
spring, so would he with much earnestness ad- 
monish professors of religion on the importance 
of their engaging " in everything with prayer 
and supplication ;" asking of God " those things 
which are requisite and necessary, as well for 
the body as the soul." When he entered on his 
farm, he could not stock it without going into 
debt : this was a burden and a grief unto his 
soul ; and while he rose early, wrought late, and 
ate the bread of carefulness, I have heard him 
say how fervently he pleaded with God to bring 
him into those happy circumstances in which he 
should "owe no man anything." "While," 
says he, " I have followed my cattle to the wa- 
tering, my heart has been earnestly engaged 
with God, praying for his blessing on my tem- 
poral affairs, and telling him how happy and 
how grateful I should be, if he would condescend 
to give me my little stock free from debt." 

[Upon fit opportunities he would endeavor to 
bring religion before worldly men ; hence, in 
buying and selling, there was often something 
put in of the merchandise of a higher order. 1 
have often admired how naturally and readily 
he would slip from the world into religion ; at 
the same time keeping both in their place. 
But while he sought thus carefully to bring re- 
ligion into the world, he took equal care to pre- 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 61 

vent the world from treading on the bou adaries 
3f religion. In his attention to the means of 
grace, he moved with the regularity of clock- 
work. Seldom could either company, or fatigue, 
or employment, keep him from visiting the place 
of public worship from five to seven times a 
week, though the distance was about a mile 
from his residence to the chapel. By pushing 
on the work a little in the former part of the 
day, he would find time even in the bustle of 
harvest to break off from labor, so that all hands, 
if they were inclined, might attend preaching or 
meeting at night. Often when urging on others 
who profess religion, and are pretty much occu- 
pied with the world, the importance and prac- 
ticability of their regular attention to week- 
night services, I have been led to mention his 
example as a happy illustration of the thing I 
wished to recommend.] 



CHAPTER H. 

I now went to live with my daughter at 
Dowstall, in the parish of My lor, about three 
miles distant from Ponsanooth. Since I have 
given up the world, my peace has flowed as a 
river, and my joys have abounded like Jordan's 
swelling stream. 

" All glory and honor to Je«n§ alone." 

0! what a salvation is that which Jesu* has 



62 MEMOIR OF CAEVOSSO. 

purchased for poor sinners ! It is a full, fret 
and present salvation ; a salvation from all sin, 
its guilt, its power, and its very in-being ; and a 
salvation into all the glorious image of God. 
And this salvation is attained by simple faith. 
0, how great are the privileges of believers ! 
Not only are they cleansed from sin, but are 
become the children of God ;— heirs of God, and 
^oint-heirs with Christ. "All are yours, and 
ye are Christ's." 

" O for a thousand tongues to sing 
My dear Redeemer's praise ; 
The glories of my God and King 

The triumphs of his grace !" 

Many circumstances have occurred in my 
life, besides those already mentioned, in which 
it has pleased the Lord to make me useful, both 
to his own people and to sinners. The first that 
now strikes me is this :— Returning one sab- 
bath-day from worship, I happened to look be- 
hind me, when I saw a neighbor of mine com- 
ing. It was immediately impressed upon my 
mind that I must speak to him about his soul. 
So I stopped till he came up with me. I then 
spoke freely to him about his future state ; but 
I soon found death and eternity were subjects 
he had thought little about, for he was asleep 
in his sins. I began to preach the law to him, 
and often, while speaking, lifted up my heart to 
God to bless what I said. I asked him if he 
was willing to die in his present state. He 
acknowledged he was not. I then earnestly re- 
quested him that, aa he was now laboring un- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 63 

der indisposition, as soon as he should reach his 
house, he would go into his chamber and fall 
down upon his knees, and implore that mercy 
of which he stood so much in need. Blessed 
be God, he took the warning ; for he went home 
and instantly retired for prayer. The Lord 
gave him to see and feel that he was a poor lost 
sinner. He soon obtained an interest in the 
blood of Christ, lived for some time a striking 
witness of the power of divine grace, and died 
happy in God. 

At another time, while giving a word of ex- 
hortation, the Lord was pleased to bless my 
feeble endeavors in awakening another poor 
sinner. He has now stood fast in the faith for 
many years, and is become a class-leader. No 
tongue can express the gratitude to the Lord 
which my heart has felt on account of these 
things : to think that the eternal Jehovah should 
use -such a worm as I am to effect such a great 
and glorious work ! I trust to praise him for it 
to all eternity. And, O, how is my faith hereby 
strenpthened to go forward in my humble en- 
deav ^rs to do good ! 

In the latter part of the year 1815, when I 
was going to see my son, then traveling in the 
Liskeard circuit, when I came to Teague's 
Gate, between Grampound and St. Austell, a 
young female, about eighteen or nineteen years 
of age, came out to take the toll. She was a 
stranger to me ; but the moment I saw her, I 
felt such a love for her soul, and such a con- 
cern for her salvation, that I thought I could 



64 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

have died for her, if that would bring her U 
the Lord, and be the means of saving her souL 
But as soon as I had delivered to her the toll 
she instantly retired, and I had no opportunity 
of speaking to her. When I had proceeded a 
few steps from the gate, I stopped my horse and 
lifted up my heart to God ; for I was at a loss 
what to do; whether to go forward, or tuns 
back to inquire into the state of her mind. 
While I reflected for a moment, it was im- 
pressed upon my mind I should see her again 
when I returned : so I proceeded on my jour- 
ney ; but, during the eleven days that intervened, 
she was seldom absent from my thoughts when 
on my knees before God in secret. 

On my return, a little before I came to the 
gate, I resolved, before the Searcher of hearts, 
that if she should again come out I would not 
deliver her the money till I had made some in- 
quiry into the state of her mind. As soon as I 
saw her come out, my heart said, " Surely, the 
Lord has a hand in this matter !" As soon as 
we came near to each other, to open the way 
for a conversation, I said to her, " Can you be 
happy in this lonely place ?" But I soon found 
she was a stranger to happiness, for she was an 
unawakened sinner, without God and without 
hope in the world. While talking to her for 
a short time, her mother, overhearing the con- 
versation, came to the door. On seeing her, 
she slipped from me and went in. On this ac- 
count I felt sorry, as I had not said to her all 
[ intended. I immediately alighted, went in 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 66 

after her, and found the Lord had touched her 
heart, for she was bitterly weeping. At the 
sight of this I soon wept also. Her father was 
present, a pious man and a class-leader, but un- 
known to me : he requested me to pray with 
tier. The Lord poured his Spirit upon us, and 
my soul seemed overwhelmed with the divine 
presence. After prayer, her father said he had 
often wished his daughter to go with him to 
class meeting, but he could never induce her to 
do it. I urged her to promise me that she 
would go that night : for I learned that was the 
night of the class meeting. She felt the cross, 
and seemed reluctant to take it up ; but I con- 
tinued to urge my plea. She wept much, and 
my own mind was much affected. At length I 
was constrained, by the love I felt for her soul, 
to say, "I cannot let you go unless you will 
promise me that you will to-night go with your 
father." She paused for a moment, and then 
said, " I will go with him." I now turned my 
attention to her sister, who was present, and 
also a stranger to divine things. She was al- 
ready much affected by the conversation which 
had taken place ; and I felt considerable hope 
that I should not in her case find a very difficult 
conquest. Accordingly, she soon promised me 
that that night she would go with her sister, and 
join the people of God. 

After this I heard nothing of them for four 

months. About this time, Liskeard friends 

having requested me to pay them another visit, 

[ had again to pass through Teague's Gate. 

5 



66 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

When I came near I labored to conceal my 
countenance as much as possible, by leaning 
forward on the neck of the horse. But the mo- 
ment Jane saw me she knew me, and exclaimed, 
ik You were sent here to save my soul !" I said, 
" It is the Lord that did it, and you must give 
the glory to him." Her sister, hearing my 
voice, ran out with heaven sparkling in her 
eyes, and shouting aloud the praises of the Most 
High. " Come in, come in !" was their lan- 
guage. I went in, and they told me they both 
went to class meeting that night, according to 
their promise ; " and now," said they, " we are 
both happy." Their father assured me there 
was now no need to urge them to go to class 
meeting, for they were anxious to go at every 
opportunity. 

About eighteen months after this, it pleased 
God to remove Jane to a better world. She 
held fast the beginning of her confidence, and 
died in sure and certain hope of eternal glory. 
A short time after her death, I called to see the 
family, and said to Robert, her elder brother, 
"You must now go and fill up your sister's 
place in the church." Jonathan, the younger 
brother, being present, burst into tears, and from 
that time gave his heart to the Lord. He con- 
tinued steadfast in the ways of the Lord three 
years, and then died happy in a Saviour's love. 
About twelve months after the death of Jona- 
than, I called once more on the family ; and 
finding Robert still unconverted, I felt a long- 
ing desire for his salvation. When he came in. 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 67 

I requested the other members of the family to 
leave the room. I then asked him what objec- 
tion he had to give his heart to God. The si- 
lent tear soon began to flow ; and before we 
parted he promised he would give himself to the 
Lord, and go with his father to class meeting. 
Five years he walked in wisdom's ways, and 
then finished his course with joy. O how do 
these things humble my soul in the dust ! With 
a heart deeply affected with my nothingness, I 
sweetly fall at the feet of Jesus, — 

" And the Lover of sinners adore." 

Yes, I will give all honor to my precious Jesus 
alone. His love is as a fire in my heart while 
I am writing, constraining me to cry out, — 

" O how precious ! how precious ! 
Is the sound of Jesus' name." 

But I must leave this delightful subject, and go 
on to record more of his wondrous works. 

Can I forget the happy seasons and manifest- 
ations of the power of God, which I have wit- 
nessed at Bicton-Mill, with my brother Body 
and his family? No, never by me can these 
things be forgotten ; particularly while at one 
time conversing with his eldest daughter, Mary. 
She had for some time known her acceptance 
in Christ, but now she said, "I want to be 
cleansed from inbred sin, and to love God with 
all my heart." I told her, " The will of God 
is your sanctification , and God himself has ex- 
pressly said, ' I will sprinkle clean water upon 



68 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

you, and ye shall be clean : a new heart also 
will I give you, and a new spirit will I put 
within you.' Here," said I, " the eternal God 
speaks to you. Take him at his word ; and, at 
once ' reckon yourself to be dead indeed unto 
sin, and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ.' " 
She obeyed the command ; and, through an act 
of faith in the atonement, entered into the g*o 
rious rest of the people of God: — 

' A rest where all our souls' desire 
Is fix'd on things above ; 
Where fear, and sin, and grief expire, 
Cast out by perfect love." 

She now told me she felt the blood of Christ 
had cleansed her from all sin. I corresponded 
with her for some years. She was a burning 
and a shining light ; but the Lord did not leave 
her long a member of his church below. A 
short time before she was taken ill, she said to 
her sister, " I dreamed last night I was with 
you and others in a prayer meeting. It was 8 
blessed time, and we were all happy in God 
But it seemed to me I was suspended in the aii 
above you all." She died in the faith, leaving 
a blessed testimony behind her that she is gone 
to glory. 

The first time I visited Callington, a friend 
asked me to take a walk before meeting. We 
called on Mr. Jope, and I fell into conversation 
with his daughter Nancy, on the necessity of 
preparing to meet God, and the danger of de- 
laying such an important work. After I left 



MEMOIR OP CABTOSSO, 69 

aer, her spiritual state so lay on my mind that 
I could sleep but little during the whole night 
In the morning I felt it a duty impressed on my 
mind to see her again before I left Callington. 
It was not a little cross "to flesh and blood," 
but I saw I must do it. So I went to her, and 
delivered my own soul. She wept much, pro- 
mised to give herself to God, and to unite with 
his people. The next time I came into that 
neighborhood, I found her at a friend's house 
where I took tea ; she was then concerned for 
her soul, but in a state of bondage, and quite 
unacquainted with the plan of salvation. I 
spoke to her of Jesus Christ, and of the punish- 
ment which he had borne in his own body on 
her account; and showed her that now .there 
was nothing wanting but faith on her part. Af- 
terward, in an exhortation at the chapel, I of- 
fered, in my simple way, Christ as a full, free, 
and present Saviour, able and willing to save 
unto the uttermost. When I came out of the 
meeting, she caught hold of my arm, and said 
in the fullness of her heart, "I am happy; I 
am happy." These words were applied to my 
mind, — 

1 Thy debt's discharged, — thy ransom 'e paid ; 
My Father must forgive ;' 

and I instantly believed, and received the pardon 
of my sins." She has since been ranked among 
my much-esteemed correspondents. 

I have sometimes had seasons of remarkable 
visitation from the presence of the Lord. I well 



70 MEMOIR OP CARVOSS9. 

remember on one occasion, while paying a visit 
to my Camborne friends, I was one night in 
bed, so filled — so overpowered with the glory 
of God, that, had there been a thousand suns 
shining at noon-day, the brightness of that di- 
vine glory would have eclipsed the whole ! I 
was constrained to shout aloud for joy. It wa«: 
the overwhelming power of saving grace. Now 
it was that I again received the impress of the 
seal, and the earnest of the Spirit, in my heart 
Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 
I was changed into the same image from glory 
to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Language 
fails in giving but a faint description of what I 
then experienced. I can never forget it in time, 
nor to all eternity. Many years before, per- 
haps not fewer than thirty, I was sealed by the 
Spirit in a somewhat similar manner. While 
walking one day between Mousehole and New- 
lyn, I was drawn to turn aside from the public 
road, and under the canopy of heaven kneel 
down to prayer. I had not long been engaged 
with God, before I was so visited from above, 
and overpowered by the divine glory, that 
my shouting could be heard at a distance, it 
was a weight of glory that I seemed incapable 
of bearing in the body, and I therefore cried 
out, (perhaps unwisely,) " Lord, stay thine 
hand !" In this glorious baptism, these words 
came to my heart with indescribable power, " I 
have sealed thee unto the day of redemption." 

Giving glory to my God, I can say to the 
present moment, I feel the blood of Jesus Christ 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 71 

cleanseth me from all sin. I am become a 
living temple, glorious all within. I can now 
love God with all my heart, with all my mind, 
and with all my strength. My inward heaven 
of joy and peace was, I think, never so great as 
of late. C Lord, help me to make some suit- 
able return of love and gratitude ! O stupend- 
ous redeeming grace! Feelingly can I sing 
this verse, — 

" O Love, thou bottomless abyss ! 

My sins are swallow'd up in thee ; 
Cover'd is my unrighteousness, 

Nor spot of guilt remains on me, 
While Jesus' blood through earth and skies, 
Mercy, free, boundless mercy, cries !" 

[In recording some of the preceding inci- 
dents, my father has anticipated the time. It 
appears, that, in some instances, after he had 
made the first record, subsequent occurrences 
led him to make additions. This is particularly 
the case in the interesting account of Mr. 
Robert Jose's family, at Teague's Gate. My 
father, having now finished his recollections, 
proceeds with his narrative in the form of a 
journal.] 

Jan. 10th, 1817. I have just returned from 
visiting the friends at Mabe. At the monthly 
meeting the Lord was with us of a truth. The 
testimonies which some bore to the gracious 
efficacy of the all- cleansing blood of Jesus Christ 
made my heart leap for joy. Such humbling 
views had I of myself, such poverty of spirit 
as I never felt before. These are prcfiiable 



72 MEMOIR OP CABVOSSO. 

seasons when the soul is emptied of self, and 
tilled with the divine fullness. Glory be tc 
God, my evidence was never brighter, my faitb 
never stronger, than now. 

"Thee I can lo\e, and thee alone, 

With pure delight and inward bliss ; » 

To know thoa tak'st me for thine own, 
O what a happiness is this !" 

Jan. 14*A. O how precious is the word of 
God to my soul ! especially the promises of full 
salvation, the truth of which I have happily 
experienced for many years ; nor have I at pro- 
per times shunned to declare what God has done 
for my soul. Not all the powers of darkness 
have been able to baffle me out of the reality 
and truth of this glorious doctrine. It does 
really appear to me, it would be one of my 
greatest sins to deny this work of the Spirit of 
God in my soul. I do not mean to say, that I 
have not often, by my unfaithfulness, grieved 
the Spirit of God, since I first obtained the great 
blessing of " a clean heart ;" but when my 
garment has been spotted by sin, I have re- 
membered that I " have an Advocate with the 
Father," and through his prevalent interces 
sion, and the efficacy of that open fountain 
which washes whiter than snow, I have felt my 
soul mercifully restored to the joys of full sal- 
vation. 

[What a mercy it is that the salvation of 
God is as free as it is full ! " If thou, Lord, 
shouldeat mark iniquities, O Lord, who shalJ 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 73 

stand ?" The subject of this Memoir generally 
Lived in the Spirit throughout his long pilgrim- 
age, yet he needed an Advocate and an open 
fountain : it was only by the blood of Jesus he 
could daily enter the holiest place. He did en- 
tei with humble boldness ; but it was by simple 
faith in that blood which cleanseth from all sin. 
Indeed, I never knew any man who expressed 
such an abiding conviction of the necessity of 
Christ's continued intercession ; nor have I 
known any one who appeared uniformly to 
possess such a grateful sense of the divine 
goodness and mercy herein manifested to the 
subjects of the new covenant. On this ground 
he would very frequently remark, that, as " an 
heir of God through Christ," he considered 
himself in circumstances which more loudly 
called for praise and thanksgiving to the bene- 
ficent Creator, than if he had been placed with 
Adam in Paradise.] 

Feb. 2d. I am just returned from a visit to 
the friends at Sparnock. In meeting the class 
I had a precious time ; my soul was like a 
watered garden. The next morning, a friend 
asked me to visit a woman who was sick, and 
offered to accompany me. When we arrived 
at the house, we were informed she was very 
ilL I went up stairs, and found her, to all hu- 
man appearance, on the borders of eternity. 
Finding that she had been three years a member 
oi the society, and knew nothing of salvation by 
the remission of her sins, I felt no little concern 
for the salvation of her soul. I asked her for 



74 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

what end Jesus Christ came into the world 
She replied, "To save sinners." I then told 
her, that Jesus Christ was the same yesterday, 
to-day, and for ever ; and that he would never 
be more willing to save her than he was at that 
moment. I explained to her the plan of sal- 
ration, and showed her, it was "to him that 
worketh not, but believeth on Him who justi- 
fieth the ungodly, that his faith is counted for 
righteousness." " And now," said I, " it is a duty 
which God requires of you to believe in Jesus 
Christ, and in the truth of his promises." While 
I was thus speaking to her, she was seized in 
a strange manner ; and it appeared to me, and 
those present, that she was dying. But in a 
moment or two she lifted up her hands and eyes 
to heaven, and cried out, " Glory be to God, I 
am healed, — I am healed !" And for some con- 
siderable time she kept on repeating, " The 
Lord has healed me, body and soul." 

The news of this was soon conveyed to her 
neighbors, who rushed into the chamber in such 
crowds, that I was afraid the beams would give 
way. But she continued saying, " The Lord has 
healed my body and my soul." We then kneeled 
down to praise the Lord for what he had done ; 
and, while engaged in prayer, two of those who 
came in were awakened, and began to cry for 
mercy. With these distressed souls I was oc- 
cupied four hours before I could leave the place. 

The next day, Mr. Sibly, from Truro, came 
there to preach, and dined with us at the friend's 
house where T lodged ; when the friend who had 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 7C 

been with me the preceding day related the 
circumstance to him. Having expressed a 
desire to see the woman, I went with him to 
the house ; and to our very great astonishment, 
we found her down stairs, sitting by the fire. 
Several of her neighbors came in to behold 
the wondeiful works of God. Mr. S. then 
inquired, whether she was the person who had 
been so very ill. She replied, " I am, sir." 
" Well, what has the Lord done for you ? Has 
\o pardoned your sins?" She answered, "Yes, 
he has pardoned my sins." " How long have 
you been a member of the society ?" " Three 
years." "And do you not think you might 
have known it sooner?" "Yes," she replied, 
"in six days, had any person shown me the 
way." 

I visited her several times after this, and 
found her not only happy in God, but confirmed 
in her restoration to health. I have seen many 
of the mighty works of the Lord, both in con- 
vincing and converting sinners, but never before 
saw the body healed as well as the soul. But 
has not Jesus the same power now as in the 
days of his flesh ?• Can he not as easily cure the 
body now as when he said to the man, " Arise, 
lake up thy bed and walk ?" or when he touched 
Peter's wife's mother, and healed her of the 
fever under which she was suffering ? And if 
he choose to do it, who has a right to say to 
aim, "What doest thou?" O for more faith! 
Amen. 

This was the beginning of a glorious work 



f 6 MEMOIB OP CABVOSSO. 

in that neighborhood, for which I believe many 
will bless God in eternity. The same evening, 
one of the family at whose house I was kindly 
entertained was deeply distressed for her soul. 
Four hours she continued on her knees crying 
earnestly to God: at length the desire of her 
heart was granted, and she was not ashamed to 
declare that she knew that God, for Christ's 
sake, had forgiven her sins. Hearing this, 
another young woman, a member of the soeietv. 
but a stranger to the witness of the Spirit, 
sought me out, and came to converse with me. 
I was in the house where the Lord had wrought 
the twofold miracle of mercy. At first she 
was much affected, but then, through shame, 
the dreadful sin of unbelief crept in, and Do- 
thing I could afterward say seemed to affecf 
her mind. I perceived what had taken hold 
of her, and when she accompanied me into 
another friend's house, I said to her, " Joanna 
you would have been set at liberty just now, 
had you not been ashamed." She replied, " I 
was tempted to be ashamed of you." I then told 
her, that till she had overcome that enemy she 
could not find liberty. She at once rose up, 
and adding courage to her faith, she cried cut. 
" I will believe, I will believe." And accord- 
ing to her faith it was done unto her. Over- 
whelmed with joy, she shouted aloud the praises 
of God. After we had joined in prayer, to give 
glory to her Deliverer, I accompanied her to 
her class ; where her testimony set all her class- 
mates on fire with divine love. Nor did she 



MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 77 

stop here, but hastened home to tell her kindred 
what great thi igs the Lord had done for her 
Her sister had retired ; but, under the constrain- 
ing love of Christ, she ran up stairs to her bed- 
side. And no sooner had she communicated 
the tidings, than her sister was cut to the heart, 
end began to cry for mercy. Nor would she 
rest till, accompanied by her father and sister 
she came, through the darkness of the night, to 
the house where I was. The doors were bolted, 
and the family and I were retiring to rest. A 
knock was heard at the door, and no sooner 
was it opened than she entered, crying, " What 
must I do to be saved ?" After some time she 
returned back again with her load of guilt 
The next day I visited her, and while engaged 
with her in prayer, the Lord was pleased to 
burst her bonds, and fill her soul with joy un- 
speakable. For these things, O my God, may 
I never forget to praise thee ! How delightsome 
a work it is to be thus employed in fishing for 
souls! And, blessed be God, I am not per- 
mitted to say, " I toil and catch nothing." 

April 25th. After an absence of four weeks, 
I am now returned from a visit to my Mouse- 
hole friends. I rejoiced to see my old friends 
and x>mpanions, but was sorry to find that 
some, in whose welfare I felt much interest, 
had grown weary in well-doing. Constrained 
by love, I went immediately in pursuit of the 
wanderers. When I came where one of them 
was, my bowels yearned over her. O what 
amazing difference did I discover in her ! No 



78 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

running now with joy to show her love and 
affection, as in days past ! But, for me to look 
at this, I knew, was not the right way to re- 
store her. I was not with her long before the 
silent tear began to flow. She labored hard 
to conceal from me her feelings ; but this she 
could not do, for I had fixed my eyes stead- 
fastly on her. O how did my heart rejoice 
when I saw any marks of contrition ! Before I 
left her, I got her promise that she would again 
return to the Lord. I then went in search of 
the other ; and, glory be to God, I obtained the 
desire of my heart. On Sunday I had them 
both at class meeting with me. No tongue can 
express, no heart can conceive, the joy arising 
from such a sight as this ! Blessed be God, they 
have been steadfast ever since. O Lord, keep 
them unto the end ! 

After I entirely left Mousehole, I stayed at 
Penzance four days. The first night I met 
brother Boase's class ; three entered into the 
liberty of perfect love. The next night I at- 
tempted to meet a class, but I was prevented 
by the number of people who crowded into the 
room. It was an extraordinary time ; many 
were filled and overpowered with the love of 
God. I breakfasted with my dear friend, Mrs. 
Vivian. Seldom has grace made a greater 
change in any one than in her. She is a burn- 
ing and a shining light, and has been so for 
many years. It was while I was meeting a 
class at Camborne that she received power to 
believe unto full salvation. Since that, the 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 79 

Lord has made her a blessing to many ; to his 
great name be all the glory ! for, all the good 
that is done in the world, I know, the Lord 
himself doeth it. 

On my way back, I called for the first time on 
Mr. Glasson, sen., at Breage. Here I saw the 
pysver of God displayed in convincing and con- 
verting many sinners. Several backsliders 
were restored, and four laid hold on the blessing 
of perfect love. One person came from the dis- 
tance of six miles to converse with me on the 
subject, and it pleased the Lord to visit her 
from above, and give her the desire of her heart. 
The Searcher of hearts knows, I mention not 
these things for any other purpose, than that 
the riches of his grace may be magnified ; while 
I record them, my soul sinks in the dust be- 
fore him ; and I feel that Christ is all in all. 
Reflecting on what I have recently witnessed, 
I see more clearly than I ever did in my life 
the importance and excellency of faith. How 
has my soul of late been blessed in reading our 
hymns ; and how clear is Mr. Wesley on this 
point ! — 

" To him that in thy name believes, 
Eternal life with thee is given ; 
Into himself he all receives, 

Pardon, and holiness, and heaven. " 

I often think I shall praise God to all eternity 
for his raising him up, and sending him into 
Cornwall. His hymn-book contains a body 
of divinity. When conversing with penitents, 



80 1CEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

and offering them a present salvation, through 
faith alone in the blood of Christ, how often has 
God owned this verse, and set their souls at 
liberty ! — / 

" Believe on Him who died for thee : 
And, sure as he hath died, 
Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free, 
And thou art justified. " 

June, Being pressed to visit the friends at 
Breage again, I have been over a second time, 
and spent some weeks with them. I rejoiced 
to find so much good resulted from my former 
visit; and I hope on this occasion I did not 
spend my time in vain with them. At a meeting 
one night, the power of God descended among 
us as a mighty rushing wind; and one pre- 
sent was filled with the Spirit in a very remark- 
able manner. At the request of the friends I 
visited Porthleven. I went from house to house, 
and reasoned with the people about righte- 
ousness and a judgment to come ; and I invited 
several to come to a class meeting which was to 
be held the next day. At that meeting the 
Lord poured out his convincing Spirit, and 
four were deeply awakened. After a long and 
affecting struggle, Christ appeared to the dis- 
tressed; and set their souls at liberty. O that 
men would praise the Lord for his goodness, 
and for his wonderful works to the children of 
men! 

I went to Ponsanooth ; and, while meeting 
one of the classes, we had a very gracious 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 81 

visitation from above. One who had been for 
four years seeking the Lord, after a severe 
struggle with unbelief, was enabled to believe 
with her heart unto righteousness, and boldly 
testified that she had received forgiveness* ©f sins. 
Two others at the same time entered into the 
rest of full sanctification. At this time the lan- 
guage of my heart is, — 

" Stretch my faith's capacity 
Wider and yet wider still • 
Then with all that is in thee 
My soul for ever fill." 

Glory be to God for precious faith ; it makes 
his fullness all my own ! O what hath Jesus 
done for my soul ! He hath already bestowed 
on me the exceeding riches of his grace, and 
will bestow the riches of his glory too. I shall 
soon see him as he is ; for when Christ, who is 
my life, shall appear, I shall appear with him 
in glory, and shall be like him for ever. O the 
blessings of the cross of Christ conferred on me, 
who am unworthy of the least of all his mercies ! 
My precious Immanuel ! since the day of my 
espousals to thee, now more than forty-six 
years ago, how hast thou, by ten thousand 
thousand benefits, endeared thyself to me ! yet 
can I never be satisfied till I possess thy full 
vision, and have in heaven the complete enjoy 
raent of thyself: — 

" Through all eternity to thee 
A grateful song I'll raite, 
But, O eternity's too short 
To utter all thy praise." 
6 



82 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

August 1st In meeting the classes at Pon- 
sanooth, we had good times ; our souls were 
watered with showers of divine grace, and our 
hopes began to revive, that, after our days of 
mourning, the Lord would again soon pour out 
his Spirit upon us. Lord, hasten it for thy 
name's sake ! what a necessity have I seen 
of late, of adding courage to my faith ; yea, and 
temperance, patience, godliness, &c. I want to 
be always abounding in these things, and to 
have more and more of the image of God stamp- 
ed upon my soul. 

3d. My soul is always happy when I write 
on the subject of the love of God in Christ Jesus 
to perishing sinners. It kindles a fire that 
makes all within me rejoice. I want this fire 
to be always burning upon the altar of my 
heart, going forth to God in flames of love, 
and joy, and praise. Lord, I want a fresh 
baptism of thy Spirit, a deeper plunge into the 
crimson flood, in order to rise more and more 
into all the life of God. I am ready to say 
with Mr. Bramwell, " O for a noble ambition to 
obtain one of the first seats in glory ! — A con- 
stant evangelical striving to have the most 
abundant entrance ministered into the kingdom 
of God." 

5th. This morning I have been meditating 
on the dreadful evil of sin. It was sin that caused 
angels to become devils ; and it was sin that 
caused Adam to be driven out of Paradise ; by 
sin he lost the favor and image of God, and 
brought death into the world with all our wo I 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 83 

I see it was a manifestation of God's just dis- 
pleasure against sin, when he swept off a whole 
world at one stroke. But, my blessed Sa 
viour ! when I turn my thoughts for a moment 
to reflect on what thou hast done and suflered 
co redeem the ruined race, I have still a clearer 
discovery of its dreadful evil. When I behold 
thee at Pilate's bar with thy sacred body " all 
>ne wound," and follow thee to Calvary, and 
see thee " stretched on yonder tree," fainting 
and " crushed beneath my load," crying out, 
" My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 
me ?" I see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, 
and am constrained to say, — 

" O Lamb of God, was ever pain, 
Was ever love like thine ?" 

Sept 5th. I am now returned from a third 
visit to my Breage friends. Many of them are 
full of faith and love, standing fast in the liberty 
wherewith Christ has made them free. I was 
with them twelve days. In meeting the class 
of Mr. Glasson, sen., he bore testimony to the 
efficacy of the blood of Christ, in cleansing his 
heart from all sin. On that and other occasions, 
several more bore a similar testimony, all refer- 
i ing to the same unworthy instrumentality. 
my God, the work is thine, and thou shalt have 
the glory ! 

Nov. ISth. After an absence of three weeks 
in visiting different societies, I am, through 
mercy, again returned to my home. Two weeks 
I spent with my son in the St. Austell circuit* 



84 MEMOIR OF CARYOSSO. 

On my way back, I called to see my SparnocK 
friends, met the classes, visited from house to 
house, and had the happiness of seeing two poor 
backsliders restored. May they never turn 
again to folly ! 

Feb, 18^, 1818. Since the above date, I have 
been on a, tour of ten weeks among the churches. 
The first two weeks I spent at Camborne. I 
met all their classes. The friends were exceed- 
ingly kind, and the Lord blessed me among 
them. I lodged at Capt. J. Vivian's, where I 
was very kindly entertained. Mrs. V., feeling 
a particular interest in the spiritual welfare of 
her servant girl, requested me to speak to her 
about her soul. At first I could find no access ; 
she was shy and reserved. At length the Lord 
softened her heart, and I had the happiness of 
seeing 

" The humble, contrite tears, 
Which from repentance flow. 

I invited her to class meeting; the Lord met 
with her there, and she covenanted with him to 
give him her whole heart. It is now some 
time since this took place, and she is still steady 
in the ways of God. May he save her eternal- 
ly, for Christ's sake. Amen ! I visited Wall, 
and was much blessed among the friends there. 
After spending a few days with my warm 
friends at Breage, I proceeded to Mousehole, 
where I rejoiced to see the mighty works of 
God displayed in convincing and converting 
sinners. I intended to stay only one week; 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. St 

but the work of the Lord broke out among them, 
and the friends would not let me go. In my 
usual way, I went preaching from house to 
house, and I believe God never blessed my 
feeble efforts more than at this time. In one 
house I found a poor penitent, to whose broken 
heart the Lord revealed his pardoning mercy. 
We fell on our knees to give glory to God 
for what he had done. And now a brother of 
her who was the subject of the happy change 
being present, fell on the floor, and cried aloud 
for mercy in an astonishing manner ; and be- 
fore I left the house the Lord also set his soul 
at liberty. 

In another house, while relating this circum- 
stance, the arrow of truth reached the heart of 
a poor backslider, and she trembled as in the 
presence of God. The next morning I found 
her weeping for her ingratitude, and now made 
willing to return to her offended God. The 
following Sunday, I met her at the class meet- 
ing ; may I also have the pleasure of meeting 
her in heaven ! There was a gracious work 
among the children in the Sunday school. None 
but those who have witnessed such a revival 
can form any idea of it. Some of them seemed 
as deeply convinced of sin as if they had been 
krtj years of age ; and after they had found 
peace, could give as clear an account of the 
work of grace on their minds as if they had 
been in the good way seven years. But it 
will require great care to rear these tendei 
plants. 



86 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

March 11th. As I was going to Mabe chapel 
with Mr. N. Earle, he said to me, " There goes 
another backslider !" I stepped forward, took 
him by the arm and said, "What harm did 
Jesus ever do you, that you should turn your 
back upon him ?" I then entreated him to re- 
turn again to the Lord. He promised me he 
would ; and accordingly came to the class meet- 
ing, bringing another poor wanderer with him. 
While I was praying, the power of God de- 
scended; and he and his penitent companion 
were cut to the heart, and wept aloud for their 
sins. They continued in fervent prayer for the 
space of three hours, when the Lord was pleas- 
ed to bestow on them a gracious sense of his 
pardoning mercy. 

Lodging at Mr. E.'s, I felt impressed with a 
sense of duty to speak to one of the same village 
about her soul. I asked her if she ever prayed ; 
she frankly told me she had not; and when I 
urged her to begin, she said she knew not how. 
I told her, prayer did not consist altogether in 
words, but in the desire of the heart ; and re- 
quested her to kneel by her bedside that night 
before she slept, and say, in the language of the 
publican, " God be merciful to me a sinner ! ,; 
She promised me she would. I called again 
the next morning, to inquire if she had perform- 
ed her promise. She assured me she had, and 
that she had also, in the same manner, prayed 
that morning. The happy result of this was, 
the next sabbath she was deeply awakened in 
her own house, and I received a message tc 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 87 

come and visit her. When I came, it was tc 
me a very affecting sight indeed, to see the 
streaming tears, and to hear her penitential 
cries. Soon the Lord Jesus revealed his par- 
doning mercy to her soul ; and, blessed be God ! 
she has now been steadfast for many years. 
May she stand to the end ! 

12th. This day I enter on the sixty-ninth 
year of my age. And now, while I take a sur- 
vey of God's dealings with me, and tender mer- 
cies toward me, I clearly discover goodness and 
mercy have followed me all the days of my life. 
I have been encompassed on every side. Surely 
I may say, — 

" When in the slippery paths of youth, 

With heedless steps I ran ; 
His arm unseen convey'd me safe, 

And led me up to man." 

How applicable are these words to me ! While 
livr g in ignorance and rebellion against my 
God, he protected me, he bore with me, and 
kindly continued to strive till I gave him my 
heart ; and, since that period, — 

" Through hidden dangers, toils, and death, 
Has gently clear'd my way ; 
And through the pleasing snares of vice, 
More to be feared than they." 

where shall my wondei*ing soul begin to 
praise him! Eternity — eternity itself will be 
too short to praise thee, O my God ! 

April 29*A. A respected friend at Probus 
sent me a letter, requesting me to pay the 



88 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

friends a visit. I went accordingly, and stayed 
with them four weeks. Several who had, 
through unbelief, lost the witness of sanctifica- 
tion, were enabled again to lay hold on the 
blessing. One morning, while I ; with a friend 
was visiting the sick, I fell into conversation 
with a woman who happened to come into one 
of the houses which we had entered. I ques- 
tioned her concerning her soul, and soon found 
her utterly dark and insensible to spiritual 
things. I spoke to her faithfully of righteous- 
ness, death, and judgment ; and, like Felix, she 
trembled. The next day I called on her, and 
found the truths delivered to her the day before 
had taken hold of her conscience. "I have 
been," said she, " a vile sinner against God for 
forty years. Till I saw you, yesterday, I had 
been all my days asleep in sin." Seeing that 
she was wounded by the sword of the Spirit, and 
now wanted the Comforter, I told her that, not- 
withstanding all her guilt and sin, I had good news 
to tell her. " Jesus," said I, " is now ready, 
willing, waiting to save you." This was news 
so good, that she could not at first believe it. I 
then said, " Are you willing to give up all your 
sins, to give God your whole heart, and to 
serve him all your days ?" With a full heart 
she said, " Yes, I am." " Then," said I, " now 
is the accepted time with God ; he needs no 
price, no worthiness, no delay. All that Christ 
requires is, that you feel your want of him." 
We knelt with her at a throne of grace, wrestled 
for her in mighty prayer ; and the Lord heard, 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 89 

and set the captive free. With streaming eyes, 
and hands and heart uplifted to heaven, she 
cried, " Glory be to God, the dead's alive, 
the lost is found !" Before she rose from her 
knees, she prayed for her husband in a strik- 
ing and uncommon manner. As soon as he 
came home, she told him what God had done 
for her soul. This produced a blessed effect 
upon him; from that time he gave his heart 
to God, and set out with his wife in the way 
to heaven. [After the lapse of, apparently, 
some years, my father interlines his Journal, 
and says,] Blessed be God, I hear she is now 
gone home to glory! 

May 1th. This is a day which I shall have 
to remember to all eternity. On this day, forty- 
seven years ago, the Lord pardoned all my sins. 
And, glory be to his name ! the last year has 
been the best of the whole ! I do find that " the 
path of the just is as the shining light, that 
shineth more and more unto the perfect day." 
I may now say with Bunyan, " I have got into 
that land where the sun shines night and day." 
I thank thee, O my God, for this heaven, this 
element of love and joy, in which my soul now 
lives ! But I am not yet landed on the eternal 
shore ; still I live in an enemy's country. But 
thou, O Lord, who hast kept me hitherto, wilt 
keep me unto the end ! thou hast told me thou 
wilt never leave me, nor forsake me, and that 
thy grace is sufficient for me. I rely on thy 
word, cast all my care on thee, and believe that 
henceforth as my days so shall my strength be 



90 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

1 4th. My soul more and more longs fox 
Zion's prosperity. Not only do I desire to see 
sinners convinced and converted to God, but I 
want to see the work of grace deepening in the 
hearts of God's children ; I want them to be 
saved from all the carnal mind, and to enjoy 
the blessing of perfect love. How few they are, 
comparatively speaking, who have entered into 
this glorious liberty ! I find, by conversing with 
professors, that many who truly desire this in- 
estimable privilege are prevented from laying 
hold of it by setting it too high. It is nothing 
more nor less than simply loving God with all 
the heart. Blessed be God ? I do enjoy this 
great salvation ! 

20th. I have just received a letter from a 
class-leader, who thus speaks : — " With grati- 
tude I inform you of the dealings of the Lord 
with us here. I bless God, I still know and 
feel that through the blood of atonement I am 
cleansed from all sin. In all my temptations, 
my Saviour 

-keeps me to prove 



His utmost salvation, his fullness of love.' 

My dear wife also is enabled to hold fast her 
confidence in Jesus as her full Saviour. At 
times, I believe, she holds with a trembling 
hand ; and, by permitting the enemy of her 
peace to approach too near, she loses part of the 
happiness which she might enjoy. My class 
prospers; it is now the delight of my soul to 
meet this little band of undaunted Christian war- 






MEMOIR OF CARV03SO. 91 

riors. Be assured we have not forge tten you: 
for we have reason to bless God that you ever 
held out to us the freeness of a full salvation. 
Go on still, and shun not to declare the whole 
counsel of God. When you have a few days 
to spare we shall be glad to see you." 
Sept. 8th.— 

1 Keep me little and unknown, 
Loved and prized by God alone." 

Never was I so truly happy in increasing union 
with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yea, in the 
night season of late I have been constrained to 
say with David, " He maketh me lie down in 
green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still 
waters. He restoreth my soul ; he leadeth me 
in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." 
Of late, truly my peace has flowed as a river. 
I am not speaking of rapturous joy. No: it 
is rather 

" The speechless awe that dares not move, 
And all the silent heaven of love." 

Oct 22d. I am now returned from a tour 
of six weeks among different societies. At 
Mousehole I was glad to meet so many of my 
old friends and companions still fighting the 
good fight of faith. With several of them I 
Lave now been united in Christian fellowship 
more than forty-seven years. God was pleased 
again to bless my conversation to some of the 
feeble of the flock ; and I discovered more clear- 
ly than ever the common mistake of many who 
are sincere. They say, " I wish I was as happy 



92 MEMOIB OF CABV08SO. 

as I was once ;" without having the least con 
ception of the excellency of faith as the instru- 
ment and condition of their salvation. God 
has made known the gospel-plan in these 
words : " By grace are ye saved through faith.' ' 
We are saved by simple faith; or by believing 
in Jesus from moment to moment. It is "to 
him that believeth," (not has believed, nor $h ill 
believe,) that righteousness is imputed. This 
is true, whether of pardon or purity ; for both 
are received and retained only by faith in the 
blood of Christ. 

While at Breage, I called one day on my 
esteemed friend Mrs. L.; and following an im- 
pulse of duty on my mind, I was led to converse 
closely with her servant-maid about her soul. 
She was living without God in the world, and 
unprepared for eternity, I asked her if she 
was willing to die in her present state. She 
frankly said she was not. Then said I, " Sup- 
pose God should now suddenly remove you to the 
w^orld of spirits ; what would become of you ?" 
With this solemn question it pleased God to 
fasten the Spirit of conviction on her heart. 
Sh3 nrw promised to yield herself to God, and 
begin to pray. That night I was glad to meet 
her at the class. The next morning I walked 
a mile to have some further conversation with 
her. It now appeared she had begun to pray in 
secret, and was determined to serve the Lord. 
While I was conversing with her, she burst 
into tears, crying out, " O what a sinner I am ; 
what a sinner I am!" I then led her to the 






MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 98 

mercy of God in Christ Jesus ; showing her the 
covenant-blood, and what she wanted to make 
her happy. Soon the Saviour condescended to 
visit her broken heart, and turn her sorrow into 
joy ; nor was her profession as " the early cloud 
and morning dew;" she has now walked for 
some years in the good way. 

At the house of another friend, I found one 
who was weary and heavy laden with sin. I 
opened the Bible, and pointed her to the promises. 
and to Him " by whose stripes we are healed." 
While I was thus in the act of exhorting her to 
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, her darkness 
was suddenly turned into day. I put down 
these things, because I have been of late more 
than ever convinced that it is the will of God 
that his mercies and dealings with his children 
should not be lost, but, as far as practicable, 
committed to writing, and retained in grateful 
memory. 

Feb. 11th, 1819. O what sweet communion 
have 1 this night had with my blessed Jesus ! 
And how many precious promises have been 
applied to my mind ! such as these, " Thy Ma- 
ker is thy husband, the Lord of hosts is his 
name." "They shall never perish; neither 
shall any pluck them out of my hand." At 
these refreshing seasons, how easy it is to 
plunge into the fountain that cleanses from all 
sin ! But I can truly say, — 

u I loathe myself when God I «e«. 
And into nothing fall ; 



94 MEMOIR CF CARVOSSO. 

Content if thou exalted be, 
And Christ be all m all." 

13th. This morning the Lord shined into 
my heart by his Holy Spirit, and gave me to 
see what is implied in the believer's being " an 
heir of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ." 
Such was my faith, I could easily claim all that 
God had in earth and heaven as my own. I 
clearly discover it is by these believing views, 
that the soul is changed from glory into glory, — 

"Till in heaven we take our place, 

Till we cast our crowns before Him, 
Lost in wonder, love, and praise." 

It is by believing, or by faith, that we are en- 
abled to see the true nature and emptiness of all 
the things of this world, and that we see they 
were never intended for our rest or portion. By 
faith we see, that at last a smiling or frowning 
world amounts to nothing ; we see the souPs 
wants, and miseries, and cure ; we see Christ 
and heaven near ; we triumph over all our foes, 
and lay hold on eternal life. 

15th. While possessing the delightful enjoy- 
ments which are noticed above, and speaking 
of the excellency of faith, I had little thought of 
me trial that was at hand, and the call I should 
speedily have to exercise strong faith. I re- 
ceived a letter from my dear son Benjamin, 
dated Camelford, February 13th, stating that he 
had just received a letter from the Missionary 
Committee in London, in which they expressed 
a wish for him to enter on the work of a foreign 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 95 

mission; he also expressed the sense of duty 
which he felt in his own mind in reference to 
the great undertaking, and desired to know 
what I thought of it, and stating that he could 
not feel himself at liberty to become a mis- 
sionary without my consent. At reading this 1 
was greatly affected; indeed I was for some 
time overwhelmed, and incapable of giving him 
any answer. I knew his mind had been exer- 
cised on the subject long before ; but when he 
mentioned it to me, I could not bear to enter- 
tain the thought, and therefore begged him not 
to think of anything of the kind till I should 
be removed hence. My love for him was great ; 
perhaps Jonathan's love for David was not 
greater. I was not only his father after the 
flesh, but likewise in the gospel also. Of this 
he often made public acknowledgment. But 
now I saw he was apparently called of God to 
leave me, and I knew not how I could give him 
up to such an undertaking. The subject was 
a burden to my mind indescribable. But on one 
occasion soon after, while I was in secret, pon- 
dering over the painful subject, thinking of the 
separation, and of the various privations and 
dangers attending such a work, just at tr e mo- 
ment when nature shrunk back, and I felt as if 
I could not consent to make the sacrifice, I 
seemed suddenly surrounded by the divine 
presence, and a voice said to me, " I gave my 
Son to die for thee ; and canst thou not give thy 
son to go an errand for me ? I will bring him 
to thee again." I cried out, " Take him, Lord, 



96 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

take him!" The Lord conquered me by his 
dying love ; and never did I offer anything to 
God more willingly. Indeed it appeared to 
me at that time, that, if I had a thousand sons 
I would cheerfully have given them all up to 
God for such a work. Nor have I since changed 
my views, or had one uneasy thought about 
him. 

At the time when I felt the wonderful deliver- 
ance, and the Father of mercies himself conde- 
scended to reason with me, it seemed, for the 
moment, I could not tell whether I was in the 
body or out of the body. Time appeared only 
a moment compared with that eternity which 
was opened to my mind ; and it was in the full 
assurance of faith I offered him up, believing 
that, if I should see him no more in time, we 
should quickly meet in heaven ; seeing the Lord 
told me he woald bring him to me again. 
When the time came for his departure to New 
South Wales, and I accompanied him and his 
dear wife to the coach, and took my final leave 
of him, I was so supported above myself, that I 
was perfectly calm and recollected. It seemed 
to me, if I ever found the all-sufficiency of grace, 
it was on that trying occasion. How does a life 
of faith triumph over everything that would dis- 
tress the soul ! I know that we shall meet again, 
and that the separation will be but for a short 
reason. And even during that little season, 

" Mountains rise and oceans roll 
To sever us in vain." 



M£MOIB OF CARYOSSO. 97 

God has united us ; in him we subsist as one 
soul, and " no power can make us twain." 

" Present we still in spirit are, 
And intimately nigh ; 
While, on the wings of faith and prayer. 
We each to other fly." 

Here I rest the matter with tranquillity and joy 
while I continue an inhabitant of this vale of 
tears. 

[In this conquest of faith over the natural 
feelings of the human mind, there are some 
things striking in my father's case. It was in- 
stantaneous, complete, and permanent. Pre- 
vious to the victory of which he speaks, when- 
ever I ventured to mention to him the subject 
o^ my becoming a foreign missionary, his feel- 
ings overcame him, and I was entreated not to 
entertain a thought of the subject while he was 
alive. Partly in obedience to him, I deferred 
engaging in the important work for some years. 
At length, when I could not, consistently with 
the duty of keeping a conscience void of offense 
toward God and man, put it off any longer, I 
stated to him my case. This so affected him, 
that my brother wrote me to say, he feared the 
contemplated separation would shorten the days 
of our dear parent. At hearing this I was dis- 
tressed, and sought advice of some of my aged 
brethren, whether to relinquish or persist in my 
object. But soon God took the matter into his 
own hands, and produced the change above de- 
scribed Shortly after, when I returned to sef 
7 



98 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

him, before I went to London to make prepara- 
tory arrangements, I found that natural affection 
had no more influence upon his mind, than 
upon the mind of the Spartan mother when her 
son was called to the field of warfare. As it 
is said, she dreaded nothing but her son's failing 
in du^y to his country, so did my father appear 
to me, as if, on this subject, he was only capable 
of grief by beholding me shrink back from the 
work. He had made the sacrifice, and he glo- 
ried in the cross ! At the time when I bade 
him farewell, neither of us expecting to meet 
again below, the language of his whole deport- 
ment was only — " Go ; and the Lord be with 
thee !" Nor did the many years of my absence 
produce the slightest change in his mind ; for he 
emphatically walked by faith, and not by sight.] 



CHAPTER m. 

April 10th, 1820. Giving glory to God, 1 
can say with dear Mrs. Rogers, I am now right ; 
and I trust him for all that is to come ; and though 
all weakness, ignorance, helplessness, and un* 
worthiness, yet I have the testimony of iay own 
conscience, and the witness of the Spirit, that I 
am wholly and unreservedly his;— his in body, 
spirit, soul ; for Christ i3 in my heart ; I dwell 
in God, and God in me. God is love ; and he 
is all I want for time or for eternity. 

May 7th. A day never to be forgotten by 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 99 

me. It was on the seventh of May my chains 
fell off, I was made free in Israel, and became a 
follower of Jesus. Yes, on this day I believed 
with my heart unto righteousness ; on this day 
I was justified by faith, and had peace with God 
through our Lord Jesus Christ ; on this day 1 
received the Spirit of adoption, and was enabled 
to say, " Abba, Father ;" on this day my name 
was written in heaven, I was married to Christ, 
and my Maker — the Lord of hosts — the holy 
one of Israel — the God of the whole earth — 
became my husband. And hast thou kept th\ 
poor unworthy dust forty-nine years in the wil- 
derness ? Yes, glory be to God ! thou hast 
kept me by thy almighty power. And now I 
will sing, — 

" O the infinite cares, and temptations and snares, 
Thy hand has conducted me through ; 
the blessings bestow'd, by a bountiful God, 
And the mercies eternally new." 

8th. This day I consider myself as entering 
upon a new year, and I have covenanted afresh 
with my God. Thou, O Lord, knowest all my 
wants. I feel I am weaker than a bruised 
reed ; and, if thou leave me but a moment, I 
must perish, and sink, and die. But though J 
am all weakness, thou art all strength ; then, 
my God, help me, by faith's strong arm, to 
lay hold on thee. I know thy promises are 
firmer than the pillars of heaven, and thou hast 
said, " I will never leave nor forsake thee." This, 
Lord, is enough ; in thy might will I go forward 



100 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

' though nature's strength decay, 
And earth and hell withstand, 
To Canaan's bounds I urge my way 
At thy command. 

" The watery deep I pass, , 
With Jesus in my view ; 
And through the howling wilderness 
My way pursue." 

9th. This morning, while meditating on 
these words, " Who shall separate us from the 
love of Christ ? shall tribulations ?" &c, what 
an increase of faith did I feel ! This is one of 
the great and precious promises, which are 
given to us that we may be made partakers of 
the divine nature. how sweet and delight- 
some to my soul are these words, " the divine 
nature !" This is what man lost when Adam 
fell. But, glory be to God, what I lost, and 
more than what I lost in Adam, is purchased for 
me again by the precious blood of Christ ; for 
" where sin abounded, grace did much more 
abound." So that it clearly appears to me, that, 
if we are not wanting to ourselves, we shall in 
the end, through the superabounding grace of 
Christ, be gainers by the fall. When God's 
children get to heaven they will sing a note 
which angels cannot : these cannot sing, " Unto 
Him that loved us, and washed us from our 
sins in his own blood," &c. But this will be 
the theme of redeemed sinners to all eternity. 

4 O may I bear some numble part 
In that immortal song "' 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 101 

15th. This morning God filled my sou J 
with peace and joy in believing. " He that 
believeth," saith Jesus, " out of his belly shall 
flow rivers of living water." It is not accord 
ing to our joy, (this is the fruit and effect of 
faith,) but according to our faith, that God 
blesses, and saves, and accepts, and loves us. 
Our love to God, his people, his precepts, all 
springing from the root of faith, are so many 
acts of the soul accepted through the Beloved. 
Faith clears the apprehension, impresses the 
affections, determines the will, and governs the 
life. In reference to God and the things of 
God, it is that which supplies the want of sight. 
As if the apostle had said, " Though the glory 
promised to believers be yet unseen and only 
hoped for, yet the true believer is as much af 
fected with it, and influenced by its attractive 
force, as if it were present before his eyes." To 
the natural man this is foolishness, he cannot 
understand it. But believers know and feel, 
that " faith is the substance of things hoped for 
the evidence of things not seen." 

My kind friends in the Liskeard circuit had 
given me many invitations to pay them another 
visit ; but, fearing my strength would not admit 
of it, I had put it off from time to time. At 
length, though above my threescore years and 
ten, I determined to attempt it in the name and 
strength of the Lord. Accordingly, on May 30, 
i set off on what proved a tour of greater 
.ength than I had before taken. The first so- 
ciety I visited was Bicton-Mill ; here I spent 



102 MEMOIK OF CAKVOSSO. 

six days with my friend Body and his excelled 
family, from whom I received tokens of kind- 
ness and affection beyond all I can express ; and 
found it very profitable to commune with them 
on the things of God. My next place was 
Callington, where I stayed three weeks. Great 
was my joy to find some steadfast, to whom 
God had before made me useful. If such be 
our feelings when meeting on earth, what will 
be our joy to meet in heaven ! I found one had 
wandered from God, for whom I felt much 
compassion. I sought her out, and my bowels 
yearned over her. After frequent conversa- 
tions with her, the Lord again touched her 
heart, and she deeply lamented her revolting 
from him. She returned to the fold, and pro- 
mised she would henceforth be the Lord's. 
Since this she has gone on well. Another poor 
backslider, the wife of a friend, (who had for 
many years been a steady member of society,) 
was also reawakened, and again went with me 
to the class meeting. 

I went to Dunston to a monthly meeting ; 
and from that place I was, by the kindness of 
Mr. Webb, conveyed to Wisewandron. Of 
Mr. W., it may be truly said, he has a church 
in his house. He has public worship within his 
own dwelling ; and himself and Mrs. W., with 
five children and three servants, all meet in 
class ! Here I met with two friends who had 
cast away their confidence. I repioved them 
for their cowardice, told them of the stab they 
had given to experimental religion, and en 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 108 

eouraged them again to look to the Saviour. 1 
have reason to believe my conversation with 
them had a good effect. Before I left they 
were again restored to the joy of God's sal- 
vation. 

I went to Tideford to meet a class ; and here 
fell in with Mr. R. Geake, who insisted on my 
going with him to St. Germain's ; and then he 
told me I must consent to visit Dock [now De- 
vonport.] The next morning I went with him 
accordingly, and was kindly received and enter- 
tained by the friends there. On entering the 
. house of Mr. K., he said, " While you stay with 
us, you are to make this house your home." 

The next day he took me to visit a friend ; 
several persons were in the room which I en- 
tered, and I began at once conversing with them 
about their souls. The one to whom I more 
particularly addressed myself, I soon found, was 
a stranger to the things of God. She expressed 
a wish to go to heaven, but frankly acknow 
ledged she was afraid to die, and said she be 
lieved if death should arrest her in the condition 
in which she then was she should be lost. I 
urged her at once to give her heart to God, and 
to promise me she would that night begin to 
pray. She was silent for some time. I told 
her, God was present and saw the thoughts of 
her heart ; and that I was waiting for her 
answer. At length he said,. " What is the use 
for me to promise ? I have already made pro- 
mises, but have broken them all." I told her 
these had been made in her own strength, but 



104 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

that I wanted her to promise in the strength of 
the Lord. This remark fastened on her heart 
as a nail in a sure place ; and to my no small 
surprise, she immediately turned to me and 
said, " Sir, will you pray with me now ?" We 
then knelt down, and I interceded with God in 
her behalf. The next time I saw her, she told 
me, that after I left she sought a retired part of 
the house, and there fell down upon her knees 
and offered herself to God. From that time she 
sought the Lord sorrowing ; and, at the end of 
twenty-one days, her load of guilt was removed, 
and she was enabled to rejoice in a pardoning . 
God. 

After this I met with Miss T., who was 
earnestly desiring salvation ; arid, while I was 
pointing her the way to Calvary, she was en- 
abled to believe, and received the Spirit of adop- 
tion. I have since had a letter from her, in 
which she informs me she has now become a 
member of the society. 

At Mr. K.'s I one day met with two who 
were earnestly longing to be delivered from the 
plague of an evil heart of unbelief. I showed 
them what was their high privilege as believers 
in Jesus Christ ; and, blessed be his holy name > 
before we parted, they both received the wit- 
ness that they were saved from sin. In meeting 
their classes I had many blessed seasons. 

I now went over to Plymouth to see my old 
and much respected friends, Mr. and Mrs. Allen. 
Here I remained three weeks before they would 
iuffer me to get off from them. One day I fell 



MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 105 

into close conversation with Mrs. L. ? ani found 
that though she had been two years a membei 
of the society, she was quite a stranger to the 
nature of faith, and the knowledge of remission 
of sins. I desired her to get me a Bible, that 
I might point her to Him, " by whose stripes 
we are healed." I also took our hymn-book, 
and showed how gospel faith is described there. 
Soon the blessed light of faith shined into her 
heart, and she cried out, " I see my debt is 
paid. Jesus hath died, hath died for me." She 
now sent for Miss H., to whom also God gra- 
ciously revealed himself, enabling her to " reckon 
herself dead indeed unto sin." I have now a 
letter before me, dated many months after this, 
in which she speaks very decisively of the 
change then wrought. She says, " Till I saw 
you, my dear sir, I thought there was no higher 
attainment for me on earth than justification ; 
but by your instructions God showed me other- 
wise, for which I shall bless him to all eter- 
nity." Surely these things are of the Lord; 
yet I have sometimes thought I would pass 
them over in silence : but when I have though 
thus, I have been admonished from within 
not to do it ; so I dared not yield to the sug- 
gestion. 

While at Plymouth, I sometimes met three 
classes in a day ; and I can truly say it is a 
work in which my soul delights. I love to 
prop the feeble, to bind up the broken-hearted, 
and to proclaim liberty to the captives ; to be in 
any way employed under God, to hold forth to 



106 MEMOIR OP CABVOSSO. 

redeemed sinners a full, free, and present sal- 
vation, through faith alone in the merits of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

I was requested to visit Causand, where 1 
found the kindest entertainment at the house 
of Mrs. Luney. Often have I been led to 
wonder at the love and affection of the children 
of God toward me. Surely this also is of the 
Lord ; for, separate from him, I am certain 
I have nothing to attract them. Glory to 
his holy name! he was with me at Causand. 
Several persons felt the power of God, were 
stirred up to seek his face, and were enabled 
to believe and rejoice in a sin-pardoning 
Saviour. While I was there five new mem 
bers joined the society, and I have since re 
ceived a letter informing me they are yel 
steadfast. 

My next port was Saltash ; among our va- 
rious friends at this place, there is a blessed 
spirit of love, unity, and simplicity. I was 
gladly received, and lodged at my excellent 
friend, Mr. Tasker's. I remained here three 
weeks, meeting the classes and visiting the 
people from house to house ; and some souls 
were awakened and saved. Never shall I for- 
get a meeting we had one night at Mr. TVs. 
Himself, his dear wife, and two pious young 
men, came together to talk about the deep things 
of God. Ailer I had pointed out to them their 
privilege to be pure in heart, and the way to 
attain it, we went to prayer, and the Lord 
opened the windows of heaven, and poured out 



MEMOIR OF CABYOSSO. 107 

such a blessing that there was scarce room to 
contain it. It was some time before anything 
could be uttered but " Glory, glory, glory !" 
From that period they all four bore witness 
that the blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed 
them from all sin. I have since received a 
letter from one of them, informing me that 
they all still retain their confidence, and are 
going on their way rejoicing, giving glory to 
God. 

[The happy effects produced at the social 
meeting here spoken of, were as permanent as 
they were glorious. With two of the party my 
father held a close correspondence till near the 
time of his death ; many of their numerous 
letters are of no common quality. After the 
lapse of ten or twelve years, I find they had all 
as lively and as grateful a remembrance of this 
overpowering visitation of the Holy Spirit, as 
when the letter was written which my father 
mentions. Two of them are local preachers ; 
from one of these I have just received a letter. 
After giving an interesting account of the meet- 
ing, of my father's conversation with them, and 
of "the four lepers being cleansed at once," 
h i adds, " In the best sense of the word we 
were now new creatures ; and we went forth 
with an increase of both light and heat. While 
the Spirit took of the things of Christ, and re- 
vealed them unto us, the love of Christ conti- 
Dued to fill our enlarged hearts, and prepared 
us either to do or to suffer the will of God. 
We became more happy and more useful 



108 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

and. what is matter of highest praise to ' Him 
who hath loved us and washed us from our 
sins,' we all continue to hold fast our posses- 
sions to the present time. Our joy indeed 
often varies, but we have learned that the 
possession of inward holiness is retained not 
by joy, but by faith. Therefore we still go 
on our way, singing, with one who is gone 
before us, — 

1 I can, I do believe in Thee, 

All things are possible to me.' "] 

From Salta3h I returned to St. Germain's, 
and then went over to see my old friends at 
Polperro. While here, I heard of Mrs. M. 
having a desire to see me. Her family not 
being friendly to the Methodists, it was with 
some difficulty I obtained an interview with her. 
I found, by conversing with her, that on a 
former visit to Polperro, I had providentially 
met with her, and had urged her to begin at 
once to seek God. It now appeared from her 
own testimony, that that night, before she re- 
tired to rest, she bowed her knees in prayer. 
Her soul became awakened ; she slept but 
tittle during the night ; and soon after was 
soundly converted to God. O Lord, thou 
knowest she stands on slippery ground ; but 
may she prove thy grace sufficient for her ! I 
came to Lanteglos ; stayed a few days, met the 
classes, and left my respected friends, Mr. and 
Mrs. P., quite on stretch for heavenly things. 
While at Charlestown, a friend wished me to 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 109 

converse with her daughter, who had for some 
time been unwell. I found she had a measure 
of the fear of the Lord, but at first showed a 
disinclination . to converse about religion. Her 
reluctance, however, was at length vanquished 
by a sense of heavenly love. She was enabled 
to believe in Jesus Christ ; and promised me, 
if God spared her life, she would join with his 
people. The Lord has since raised her up ; 
she has fulfilled her vow, and is now happy in 
the Saviour's love. 

April 24th, 1821. While talking with an 
old woman, sixty years of age, she was soon cut 
to the heart, and in a very short time the Lord 
set her soul at liberty. The change was so 
great, and the transition so sudden, that language 
failed to express her gratitude to God. She 
soon ran and told her neighbors what God 
had done for her soul. Another woman was 
deeply affected at what she saw and heard, 
and also sought and soon found a sense of di- 
vine mercy. 

26th. While at Breage, a friend informed me 
that H. M. had a great desire to see me. I 
went to him, and found he had been five years 
inder the afflicting hand of Providence. He 
k)ld me he wanted the assurance that he was a 
child of God ; and then said how he had read 
And prayed, and had the clergyman to adminis- 
ter the sacrament to him, in hopes that he 
should thereby attain what he wanted. " But/ 5 
*ays he, " all seems to be of no use." I replied, 
No, it is not of works, lest any man should 



110 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

boast." I then brought the Bible to him, anc 
opened to 1 Peter ii, 24, and requested him to 
read for himself: " Who bore our sins in his 
own body on the tree, that we, being dead to 
sin, should live unto righteousness: with whose 
stripes we are healed." He looked upon me 
with great earnestness, and cried out, " It was 
faith I wanted ; I could never read for myself 
before." At that moment the Lord set his soul 
at liberty, and he rejoiced with joy unspeaka- 
ble and full of glory. I do not think I was with 
him more than half an hour before the happy 
change took place. Soon after this, he took his 
flight to the paradise of God. 

From Breage I went to Mousehole, and while 
here I completed the fiftieth year of my spiritual 
pilgrimage. This event was rendered the more 
abundantly gratifying and delightful, because it 
took place at the spot where I commenced, and 
in the presence of the three who set out in the 
way to heaven with me,* After the lapse of 

* This is a rare and striking fact, which contains in it 
much of moral sublimity. That the four young men, 
who, at this place, set out together for the heavenly 
country, in 1771, should all continue from the beginning 
to adorn the doctrines of God their Saviour ; and, aftei 
passing through the various perils, conflicts, and changes 
of life, should all meet together, on the same spot, in th« 
house of worship, on their jubilee day in 1821, is a sin- 
gularly delightful occurrence, which could not fail to at- 
tract notice The Rev. J. Smith remarked to me, a few 
weeks ago, how much he was impressed and delighted, 
when, preaching at Mousehole at this time, he beheld 
from the pulpit the four hoary-headed veterans, who 



MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. Ill 

half a century, here were I, my dear brothei 
Trewavas, brother M. Wright, and my own 

after fifty years' hard fighting in Emmanuel's service, 
were ail sitting together in the leaders' pew ! The irre- 
proachable and venerable Michael Wright still survives ; 
is able regularly to attend the public ordinances ; and not 
only meets his class and assists at the prayer meetings, 
but often leads the congregational singing with a clear 
and excellent voice. Of my uncle, some notice will be 
found in a subsequent part of my father's narrative. As 
to the eminent and highly-respected Richard Trewavas, 
who was my father's particular friend, and whom I loved 
and revered from my childhood, I cannot forbear insert- 
ing here a brief notice of him. Like his neighbors, he 
was a fisherman, but his mind was of a superior order ; 
his intelligence was considerable ; his address was en- 
gaging and dignified ; and his conversation highly inte- 
resting to persons of all ages, and of every class in life. 
He had a frankness, a generosity, a nobleness of soul, not 
commonly met with ; and in life and death he was a pat- 
tern of Christian piety. His son Richard, who was one 
of my earliest and dearest religious friends, was a man 
of great vigor of understanding, and great eminence in 
the divine life. To his intercessions with God in my 
behalf I owed much in my early ministry. Though 
now dead nearly twenty years, I never pass by the spot 
where his ashes lie but the sight of his tomb kindles the 
fervor of devotion within me. In deadness to the world, 
fervency of spirit, vividness of spiritual apprehension, and 
depth of communion with God, I have never known or 
read of his superior ; and, as to his final hour, seldom in 
the death of saints has there been such a display of 
Christian triumph. A short account of the father is in- 
serted in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine for 1826 ; 
and a pamphlet was published by the Rev. R. Treffry, 
containing an interesting memoir of the son. This ex- 
cellent little book passed quickly through three editions, 
and ha* now, to the no small grief of many, been severaJ 
years out of print. — Editor. 



i!2 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO, 

brother Benedict, still kept by the power oi 
God, through faith, with our faces ZionwarcL 

" O that we at last may stand 
With the sheep at God's right hand ; 
Take the crown so freely given, 
Enter in by Christ to heaven!" 

May Ylth. Being at the house of a friend at 
St. Day, I was informed of a man who had been 
in deep distress of soul for three weeks. I felt 
pity for him, and expressed a desire to see him. 
His cry was still, " Mercy, mercy, good Lord !" 
but he was almost spent out. I directed his 
mind to the right object, by telling him I had 
good news for him, that Jesus Christ came into 
the world to save sinners. It was but a short 
time before his cries for mercy were turned into 
shouts of " Glory, glory !" The sight of this 
happy change affected his wife, a poor back- 
slider for seven years, She became deeply 
awakened, and now sought God with great ear- 
nestness, It was a pleasing sight to see the 
husband rejoicing in the Lord, and the wife a 
weeping penitent at the Saviour's feet 

20th. The following remarks of Mr. Bram- 
well are striking, and deserve particular notice : 
" Justification is great, to be cleansed is greater; 
but what is justification, or being cleansed, com- 
pared with being taken unto God ? The world, 
the noise of self— all is gone ; and the mind 
bears the full stamp of God's image. Here we 
talk, and walk, and live ; — doing all in him and 
to him ; — continual prayer, and turning all into 
Christ, in every house, in every company ; all 



MEMOIB OP CABVOSSO. 118 

things by him, from him, and to him/* ! 1 
long to be more filled with God. Lord, stir me 
up to be more in earnest. I want to be more 
like Jesus. My soul thirsteth for thee, O God. 
I see nothing will do but being continually filled 
with thy presence and glory. I know all that 
thou hast is mine, but I want to feel a closer 
uaion. Lord, increase my faith. This day, 
while mourning in secret for my unfaithfulness, 
and pouring out my soul for a fresh manifesta- 
tion of Gilead's balm, Jesus spake to me, say- 
ing, " Reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into 
my side, and be not faithless, but believing." 
Instantly my mourning was turned to joy, and 
Christ again became precious. 

June 25th. I have had a fresh plunge into 
the fountain which is opened for sin and un- 
cleanness. My Saviour has not only washed my 
hands and my feet, but my head and my heart; 
and he hath clothed me with the garment of 
salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of 
righteousness. 0, I cannot describe what I 
have felt ; language fails to express it. 

" All is too mean to speak his worth, 
Too mean to set my Saviour forth." 

28th. I see it is my privilege to grow in grace, 
and in the knowledge and love of God. This 
is my song at present : " To him who hath loved 
me and washed me from my sins in his own 
Olood, to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 
The greatest thing I have had of late to contend 
with, is vain thoughts ; I feel I have need to 
8 



114 MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 

pray that God would not suffer them to lodge 
within me. If not promptly resisted, these be- 
come " the little foxes that spoil the vine ; for 
the vine hath tender grapes." 

July 3d. I have been confined to bed four 
days by an inflammation in my leg. But though 
the Lord has afflicted my body, my mind has 
been in perfect peace. My soul has mounted 
on the wings of contemplation, and I have en- 
joyed sweet communion with God. His pre- 
sence makes my paradise. 

5th. With one who now rests above, I can 
say, " I generally glide very happily along the 
heavenly track, having my sails swelled with 
the precious gales of grace from the spicy hill3 
of Zion." I steer by the compass of God's holy 
word, and make a straight course to the hea- 
venly country. But I feel this happy state is 
attained and secured to me by faith alone. I 
am called to fight against combined and multi- 
plied enemies ; but I hear the eternal God say- 
ing, " Fear not, be not dismayed, I am with thee." 
And, blessed be God ! the language of my soul 
at this time is, — 

" What though a thousand hosts engage, 
A thousand worlds, my soul to shake : 

I have a shield shall quell their rage, 
And drive the alien armies back ; 

Portray'd it bears a bleeding Lamb, 

I dare believe in Jesus' name." 

7th. I feel the work of grace deepening in my 
soul, and I have increasing life, power, liberty, 
and delight in the service of God In meeting 






MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 115 

the class last night at Mylor Bridge, I felt 
Christ was eminently present and precious. 
Lord, make me more thankful for these bright 
manifestations of thy love to my soul ! I do feel 
thy ways pleasant, and that in the keeping of 
thy commandments there is great reward. 

9th. Glory be to God! this is a morning 
without a cloud. Lord, help me to praise thee ! 
How applicable to the feeling of my soul at this 
time is this verse !— 

" Thee I can love, and thee alone, 

With pure delight and inward bliss : 
To know thou tak'st me for thine own, — 
O what a happiness is this !" 

My exulting heart now exclaims, " Behold what 
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon 
me, that I should be called a son of God ?" Yes, 
I am now a son of God, and " it doth not yet 
appear what I shall be ; but I know that, when 
Christ appears, I shall be like him, for I shall 
see him as he is." O, my union with him is 
stronger than ever! Whatever concerns me 
for time or eternity, I can leave joyfully in his 
hands. Happy state, to live a life of faith in 
the Son of God ! O may I follow the Lord every 
moment ! 

12tk. I am now returned from a visit to my 
friends at Sparnock. I had not seen them fo. 
three years, and was happy to find so many of 
them with their faces Zionward. When here, 
about four years ago, I met with two sisters, 
whose hearts had departed from God and his 
people for some considerable time; and the 



116 MEMOIR OF CARVOS80. 

Lord was pleased to make me the happy instru- 
ment of restoring them to the joy of his salva- 
tion. I rejoiced to find them still graciously 
preserved, with their souls truly alive to God. 
It was with divine satisfaction I met them in 
class on Sunday morning; and there also I 
met with my dear sister Oats, whose body the 
Lord restored so remarkably at the time of her 
conversion. She now appeared in such a happy 
state of body and mind that I was constrained 
to say, " O that men would praise the Lord for 
his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the 
children of men !" 

16^A. By waiting upon God this night in his 
house I have renewed my strength ; and on 
my way home I fell in with one of my neigh- 
bors, with whom I had not before conversed 
about the salvation of her soul. I felt great 
liberty in talking to her; and I now earnestly 
pray that God may seal the truth upon her con- 
science, so that it may be erased no more in time 
or eternity. 

22c?. Glory be to God, I still enjoy that 
peace which the world cannot give nor take 
away. O what cause have I to praise God for 
keeping my helpless soul in the safe and pre- 
cious path of simple faith and humble love ! 
May I ever lie at his feet, and never depart 
from the rule of his written word. 

" 'Tis there I would always abide, 
And never a moment depart ; 
Conceal'd in the cleft of his side, 
Eternally held in his heart." 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 117 

what is all that is called great and good, com- 
pared to this ! Friends, fortune, wealth, crowns, 
and kingdoms, — what are they ? Less> far less 
than nothing : they are dung and dross ! my 
God, to enjoy thee is all in all ! the depth 
of dying love ! My soul is penetrated with the 
unspeakable grace that made my God a mail 
of grief, a victim to justice, a dying victim for 
my sins. spotless Victim ! O Lord of life ! 
and didst thou die for me ? For me thou didst 
die ; my sacrifice, my God ! — By a letter just 
received from Saltash, I have a very pleasant 
account of those four who were cleansed from 
sin while I was praying with them. They are 
all steadfast in faith and love. I advised them 
to meet in band ; this they continue to do, and 
find it very profitable to their souls. 

24^A. Last night my mind was much grieved 
at a prayer meeting, to see such carelessness in 
worshiping God : sitting at the time of prayer : 
how was my mind pained at this ! my God, 
how desirable to see these souls converted! 
Lord, hasten it for thy mercy's sake ! Amen. 

27th. This morning these words of the Psalm- 
ist were made a great blessing to my soul : " If 

1 forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, 
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; 
if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." 
I have just now been taking a retrospect of the 
mercies of God toward me ; and I find I might 
as well attempt to count the stars in the firma- 
ment, the drops of water in the great ocean, or 



118 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

the grains of sand upon the seashore* Bui 
thanks be to his great and holy name, I have 
uot forgotten them all. Among the multitude 
of unmentioned mercies, I will here record one : 
About fifty years ago, just after 1/ was convert- 
ed, I was seized with a fever ; I then began to 
examine myself, and wondered where my joys 
and comforts had fled. I could trust in God. 
though I could not rejoice ; but this passage of 
Scripture was applied to my mind : " He that 
believeth on Him shall not be confounded." I 
received it as from the Lord, and my peace and 
joy returned again. But being only a babe in 
Christ, and not knowing how to live or walk by 
faith, my joys soon withered again. While ex- 
amining myself, these words came with such 
power to my soul, and made such a deep im- 
pression on my mind, that I have never forgot- 
ten it : " Behold, I have graven thee upon the 
palms of my hands." These words were ap- 
plied to my soul with such light, life, and power, 
that I seemed to be lifted from the bed on which 
I lay. I may venture to say, that a thousand 
and a thousand times have I thought on these 
two precious, precious promises. They have 
not only been a staff in each hand to lean cc 
during these fifty intervening years, but the^ 
have been as two strong pillars, on which to rest 
my weary soul in Satan's darkest hour : 

" And when to that bright world I nge, 
To claim my mansion in the skies ; 
Above the rest this note shall swell, 
My Jesus hath done ail things well." 



MEMOIB OF CABTOSSO* 119 

28th. This morning I had sweet intercourse 
with the ever-blessed Trinity, and my mind was 
deeply impressed with humbling views of the 
infinite condescension and love of God. 
olessed free grace ; free for every soul of man ! 
I could weep for the hardness and stupidity of 
poor sinners, who know not, but neglect and 
despise, so great salvation. I have been con- 
fined at home nearly six weeks with an inflam- 
mation in my leg. How it will end I know 
not, but I leave myself in the hands of the 
Lord, who will do what is best for me. I see 
I have no reason to murmur, but great cause to 
be thankful for the health I have enjoyed during 
the last fifty years : not one week have I been 
confined to my bed by a fever, a broken bone, 
or any other affliction. 

" In all my ways Thy hand I own, 
Thy ruling providence I see : 
Assist me still my course to run, 
And still direct my path to thee." 

29th. The promises this day have greatly 
strengthened and comforted my soul ; especially 
that favorite portion of mine, Hebrews vii, 25 
what is contained therein ! This is a promise 
worth ten thousand worlds. Yet what are the 
promises without faith ? It is faith alone which 
is the foundation of all our holiness, strength, 
and happiness. All must believe, or they can- 
not love ; and love, or they cannot obey ; but to 
those who do believe there shall be a perform 
ance of every promise. 



120 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

August 5th. Brother N. Earle, of Mabe, 
came to Downstall, and earnestly invited me 
over to meet his class. As he had four servants 
all living without God in the world, I felt much 
compassion for them, and a longing desire to 
do them good. One of them had known some- 
thing of divine grace, and was still rather 
steady in his outward conduct ; so I began with 
him first. I met him in the field, and had a 
long conversation with him about the state of 
his soul. I invited him to come that night to 
the class meeting, and he gave me a sort of 
promise that he would; but he did not. The 
next morning I asked him the reason why he 
skulked away. He was speechless. I re- 
proved him smartly, and told him that though 
he could deceive man he could not deceive 
God. " Depend upon it," said I, " you must 
answer for this with me at the bar of God, and 
then you will see whether this is a little thing 
that you have done." This seemed to come with 
power to his conscience. I then left him to his 
own reflections; and went in pursuit of his 
fello vT -servant, and found him. This was a 
young man for whose conversion I had before 
Labored hard, but could not gain my point. 
I now found his mind more susceptible of good ; 
be promised me he would give his heart to God, 
and at once commence a life of prayer. This 
greatly encouraged me to go a fishing for the 
other two ; for whose salvation the Lord knew 
the ardent longings of my heart To gain then 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 121 

hearts for the Lord I used all my influence. 
I strove with my might to show them the im- 
possibility of their being saved from hell, or 
getting to heaven, without prayer; and urged 
them to promise me to begin that night. With 
one of them I so far succeeded that the heart of 
stone became dissolved by the power of God, 
and she consented to be his. I told Mr. and 
Mrs. E. what had taken place, and we turned 
the family worship at night into a prayer meet- 
ing. I gave them an exhortation ; and, blessed 
be the Lord, his presence was with us ! It 
was a season not to be forgotten. The next 
morning I left them, commending them to God, 
and praying that he would seal the truth of 
what I had delivered in his name, and make it 
. a means of bringing them to repentance. 

The following Sunday Mr. E. came to me, 
and said, " You must come over and meet the 
class to-morrow evening, for all my servants 
are determined to serve God." There was no 
flying from me now, no shunning my presence 
as aforetime ; no, blessed be the Lord ! it was 
evident from their countenances a change had 
taken place within. Without invitation they 
all four came to class meeting. The poor back- 
slider seemed now resolved to return to his of- 
fended God ; and the other young man wept 
aloud from distress of soul. On the whole there 
is a great change at present. These are fair 
blossoms ; what will be the fruit, time must 
show. O Lord, may they be thine when thou 



122 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

shalt make up thy jewels ! " Then I will praise 
thee, then I will praise thee, in the glorious 
realms above." 

26th. Brother Earle sent his niece to re 
quest I would again visit his family and meet 
the class. I went, and much of the divine 
presence attended our meeting. We published 
for a prayer meeting the following evening. 
This was a remarkable time ; two of friend E.'s 
servants were brought into the liberty of the 
children of God. One of them was the poor 
backslider, over whom I could not but greatly 
rejoice. [He has since stood his ground well, 
and is become a class-leader.] 

In visiting from house to house I fell in with 
a young woman, to whom I had not spoken 
many words before she was pricked in the 
heart, and cried for mercy, as one hanging over 
the pit of hell. Her master (who, like too many 
others, had wandered from God and his people) 
was much affected at her cries and tears, and 
promised he would return again to the Lord ; 
and I was happy to find in him afterward some 
pleasing indications of penitence. 

One day I met with two brothers, the one a 
class-leader, the other a backslider. The con- 
trast of their characters greatly struck me. I 
spoke very closely to the unfaithful brother : 1 
told him of his awful state, and urged him once 
more to turn from the road to hell. He was 
deeply impressed, and before I left him he pro- 
mised again to turn his feet to the testimonies 
of the Lord. I saw nim the next day, and found 



MEMOIR OF 0ARVOS3O. 123 

he had been attempting to fulfill his a ow. As 
his wife was also a poor wanderer, he requested 
me to talk to her. I went to their house for that 
purpose, but she fled from me to her sister's. 
Feeling a longing desire for her salvation, I 
went thither ; but she again got off. Poor thing ! 
I cannot give her up. But O, if she cannot 
meet man, how can she stand before the Judge, 
and meet her God ! 

Sept. 2d. How sweet is a life of faith! It 
seems to me I never saw so fully the worth of 
faith as at this time. I see gospel salvation is 

" Only to believers known, 
Glorious and unspeakable." 

Nothing will stand the fiery test but the right- 
eousness of God by faith. Without Christ all 
is sand — all are filthy rags. In the past night 
I had many sweet moments in meditating on 
this delightsome verse, — 

" Thy name, O God, upon my bed, 

Dwells on my lips and fires my thought ; 
With trembling awe in midnight shade 
I muse on all thy hands have wrought." 

1 felt I could easily die, and that to die 
would be gain. It was not ecstasy — not rap- 
ture; but a secret stillness, an inward heaven 
—the love of God filling the whole soul. 
Sweet would it have been to have laid my head 
upon my last pillow, and fallen asleep in Jesus. 
Some days before this my faith was severely 
tried; and not without a cause. O what a 



124 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

necessity there is for more self-denial ! Lord, 
keep me ever watching ! 

19th. Last night my soul was drawn out in 
an extraordinary manner while praying to be 
filled with all the fullness of God. The lan- 
guage of my heart was, — 

44 Fulfill, fulfil', my large desires, 
Large as infinity ; 
Give, give me all my soul requires, 
All, all that is in thee." 

Jesus spake with power, and said, " All that 1 
have is thine." My soul leaped for joy, my 
eyes flowed with tears, and all within me 
shouted, " Glory, glory to the Lord !" 

" O for a thousand tongues to sing 
My great Redeemer's praise." 

In looking over the Minutes of Conference 
for 1821, 1 was pleased and profited not only on 
account of the many thousands which the Lord 
has been pleased to add to the church, but also 
to see the blessed spirit of union and love which 
subsists among the preachers. They seem de- 
termined to adopt every measure which they 
think will advance the Redeemer's kingdom. 
I was glad to find, among many others, this 
resolution : " We again resolve, after the ex- 
ample of our venerable fathers in the gospel, 
with all plainness and zeal, to preach a free, 
present, and full salvation from sin ; a salvation 
flowing from the mere grace of God, through 
the redemption which is hi Christ Jesus, appre- 
hended by the simple exercise of faith, and in 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 1~5 

dispensably preparatory to a course of practical 
holiness. And in this great work, our only 
reliance for success is upon the grace of the 
Holy Spirit; by whose inspiration alone it is, 
that the gospel in any instance is rendered the 
* power of God unto salvation.' " I am more 
than ever persuaded that when this doctrine is 
preached, God will own and bless it ; and that 
signs and wonders will be wrought in the name 
of Jesus. 

26th. I have just visited Ponsanooth, and am 
returned with a sorrowful mind, on account of 
the absence of that life and power of religion 
which I wish to see among them. I am con- 
strained to say, " How is the fine gold become 
dim !" Lord, once more turn and be gracious, 
and pour out thy Spirit upon them, for thy 
name's sake ! 

Oct. Having received repeated invitations 
from my Camborne friends, I resolved to pay 
them another visit. On my way I called to 
see Mr. Burgess, at Redruth, and he insisted 
on my remaining with him a few days. With 
him, and his amiable and excellent family, I 
spent many happy hours in talking about the 
things of God. I stayed here ten days, and met 
several of the classes ; but was grieved to see 
so little of the life of religion in that place 
which had so long been the praise of all Corn- 
wall. I had some profitable seasons with them, 
especially at their love-feast; when I was en- 
abled very freely to lift up my voice for God, 
in that house where I had often before joyfully 



126 MEMOIR *F CARVOSSO. 

testified of the power of Jesus to save to the 
uttermost. 

At Camborne I was received with the utmost 
love and affection ; and here the Lord was again 
pleased to use me as an instrument for good. 
After meeting Captain Lean's class one nip-ht, 
two young men, who were brothers, came 
in to converse with me. One of them was a 
poor heavy-laden sinner, seeking Jesus; but 
he knew not how or where to find him. 1 
began at once by telling him that Christ had 
suffered in his stead, and borne his sins in his 
own body on the tree, and that through his 
stripes all that believe are healed. After an 
hour and a half s conversation with him, he cried 
out, — - 

" Friend of sinners, spotless Lamb, 
Thy blood was shed for me." 

It was an interesting and an affecting sight to 
see the heavenly joy that beamed in his counte- 
nance, to hear the effusions of his grateful heart, 
and to behold his brother on his knees blessing 
and adoring the God of salvation for what he 
had wrought. They quickly left us, and ran 
with speed to tell their dear father, and mother, 
and sister, of the glorious news ; so they all re- 
joiced together, and gave glory and praise to 
Emmanuel for what he had done for their dear 
William. [He is now much esteemed for his 
fervent piety, and is a useful class-leader.] 
This was the beginning of good days. Soon 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 127 

the prayer meetings began to increase, and the 
Lord poured out the Spirit of grace and sup- 
plication upon the people. At one of those 
meetings one evening I gave out that beauti- 
ful and favorite hymn on page 203 : — 

" Thou hidden Source of calm repose, 
Thou all-sufficient love divine ;" 

and then gave a short exhortation upon it. From 
the striking language of this hymn, I endea- 
vored to show what Christ is to the believer. 
While speaking, such views of the adorable Jesus 
were given to me as I think will never be erased 
from my mind in time or eternity. 

Being invited one Sunday to visit a mem- 
ber of the society who was very ill, I asked 
her if she had a satisfactory evidence of her 
interest in Christ. She said, " No ; nor had I 
ever a sense of the pardon of my sins." When 
I beheld her destitution of soul, and the evi- 
dent marks that death was near at hand, I 
was filled with much compassion for her case. 
I began to encourage her hopes, and offered 
her Christ as a ready, able, and willing Sa- 
viour—waiting at that moment to remove her 
guilty load. I showed her the atoning sacri- 
fice, explained to her the plan of salvation by 
faith, and told her that God required an act 
of faith in her to believe what Christ had 
done for her. She felt the Comforter draw- 
ing near, and said, "I never saw it in this 
light before." In a short time she was ena 



128 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

bled fully to rely on Jesus ; and now her eyes 
overflowed with tears, and her heart was filled 
with peace and joy in believing. She lived three 
weeks after this, held her confidence to the last, 
and finished her course with joy. 

A friend invited me to come over and meet 
the classes at Tuckingmill. In speaking to 
the people in one of the classes, I found a 
poor, heavy-laden penitent. I labored to en- 
courage her; but such were her strong cries 
and tears, that I thought it best to pray with 
her. Her mind apparently becoming a little 
more composed, I asked her how she felt. She 
said, " I see I must go home and pray more.'* 
Aware that this was a snare of Satan, I replied, 
" There is no necessity for that; the Lord is here, 
and is now waiting to bless you. There is no- 
thing wanting, but for you to believe in Jesus as 
your Saviour. And if he died for you, ought you 
not at once to believe in him, and to love him ?" 
The light of faith soon appeared, and her soul 
found liberty through the blood of the Lamb. 
Full of the assurance of faith, she cried out, 
" Now I know my sins are forgiven." I lodged 
at Mr. S. Burrell's that night ; and, with him, 
the next day, I called on her, fearing lest Satan 
might have beguiled and robbed her; but to 
our agreeable surprise we found her, having 
laid aside her ordinary work, keeping the day 
holy. " I have," said she, " set apart this day to 
praise the Lord for what he did for my soul 
yesterday." This I thought was a very pleasing 
testimony to the reality of the work. In meet- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 129 

ing the other classes at Tuckingmill, we had re- 
freshing seasons from the presence of the Lord. 

While at Camborne, I strove earnestly to 
show leaders and people the necessity of being 
cleansed from all sin, and of pressing into full 
salvation ; and I had the happiness of seeing 
many lay hold on Christ as their perfect Saviour. 
In meeting Captain Lean's class one night, four 
plunged a second time into the all-cleansing 
flood. They felt so much of the overwhelming 
power of grace, that it was some time before 
they had bodily strength sufficient to walk home. 
The time of my visit was greatly protracted be- 
yond what I intended ; but my soul was kept 
as a watered garden, and my confidence in God, 
and in the power of his glorious gospel, was, 1 
believe, never stronger. 

Nov. 2£tk. I met the class last night at 
Mylor Bridge, and strongly pressed believers to 
seek entire holiness. I was examining myself 
this morning, and thought I never found myself 
more dead to sin. what gratitude of heart 
did I feel on this account ! Praise the Lord, 
my soul, and all that is within me bless his 
holy name ! 

28th. I see if I would get good everywhere, 
it must be by striving to keep my outward 
senses under subjection to those which grace has 
opened in the soul. By faith I realize the pre- 
sence of my great Prophet ; my ear attends to 
that still small voice which is not heard in the 
hurry and tumult of our nature ; my eyes gaze 
on the divine perfections, displayed in the whoV 
9 



130 MEMOIE OP CABTOSSO. 

economy of nature and grace; and hereby 1 
begin a life that never ends, and obtain enjoy- 
ments which shall increase to all eternity. 
Faith does not merely wait for olivine influence^ 
but actually lays hold of it, as well as on every 
other purchased and promised blessing ; yea, by 
simple faith, promises and Promiser are made 
all our own. In this school I often lament my 
want of proficiency ; but, blessed be God ! 1 
can truly say I am desirous of learning his way 
more perfectly, that I may daily make sensible 
objects subservient to the realities which faith 
reveals ; and, giving glory to God, I think I can 
say I have lately mastered some profitable les- 
sons ; and hereby my soul is stirred up to get 
fresh fire from the holy altar. But I want my 
powers to be put in quicker and stronger mo- 
tion toward Him whose love is a sea 

" Where all my pleasures roll ; 
The circle where ray passions move, 
And centre of my soul." 

For some of my best thoughts on faith, I am 
indebted to the excellent Memoirs and Letters 
of Mrs. Rogers. 

Dec. 7th. O I want to live every moment in 
dependence on the blood of Christ, and con- 
stantly expecting the fulfillment of the divine 
will in all the sanctifying influences of the Holy 
Ghost in my soul. The way into the holiest is 
opened; and, blessed be my gracious Lord! 
through him, as my prevailing Advocate, my 
soul has access, and waits in believing expecta- 
tion for all that faith beholds ! 



MEMOIR O® CARVOSSO. 131 

15th. Since I wrote last I have had severe 
conflicts with the powers of darkness, but Jesus 
has proved my strong tower. O what a blessed 
thing it is to have a refuge to flee to in the time 
of distress ! Since the storm, it has been a 
blessed calm; all joy, all peace. I have had 
sweet communion, and a closer walk with God. 
I have no footing of my own to stand upon: 
this is all sand : but Christ is a rock ; and, 
glory be to God, I am built upon him, and all 
the storms of this life, and floods of temptation 
from the enemy, have not washed me off. I 
bless the Lord, I never lived more in the liberty 
of the sons of God, nor felt more of the worth 
of Christ, than of late. I can truly say, " 1 
count all things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." 

" Had I Gabriel's heavenly tongue, 
This should ever be my song, 
Earthly things are far too tame 
To divert me from the Lamb." 

16th. This morning my soul has been so 
let into God, so filled with the divine presence, 
that I am lost in wonder, love, and praise. 
Language fails to express my feelings at this 
time. 

" His sovereign majesty 

I shall in glory see, 

And to eternity love and adore." 

22c?. This day I set off with the intention 
of visiting my brother and friends at Mousehole ; 
but on the road I was taken very unwell, and 



132 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

with great difficulty reached Breage, where I 
stopped with my old and rauch-respected friends 
Mr. and Mrs. Limbrey. I got worse ; and, 
on the night of Christmas eve, I thought I 
should have died. I lay panting for life, but 
all was calmness and confidence within. The 
kindness of the dear friends at whose house I 
remained can never be forgotten. Mrs. L.'s as- 
siduous attention to my wants calls for my most 
grateful acknowledgments ; I pray the Lord to 
reward her for her kindness. After a few 
days, I got a little better, and then returned 
home. 

Slst. Glory be to God, he has again restored 
me to bodily strength! I feel an increasing 
confidence in him, and a fresh determination 
to set out anew for the heavenly kingdom. 
my God, assist me to fulfill my resolutions ! 
Amen. 

[In the course of the year which closes with 
this chapter, my father wrote me several en- 
couraging and quickening letters. I was now 
in the comparatively dry and barren soil of 
New South Wales. The following extracts 
will serve as a specimen of his mode of ad- 
dress :■ — 

[" You must still go on, my son, sowing in 
hope ; leaving everything to God ; knowing 
that ' in due time you shall reap if yuu faint 
not.' When things do not turn up just as we 
expected, we are apt to be discouraged; and if 
we do not at these times look to God, our faith 
will fail. He says, ' Fear not, J am with thee ; 






MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 13S 

be not dismayed, I am thy God ; I will strength- 
en thee.' It is here we must look, or our faith 
will soon begin to stagger. Abraham, you 
know,' 4 staggered not through unbelief, but was 
strong in faith, giving glory to God.' It was 
not the strength of the ram's horns, nor the 
echo of their voices who shouted, which threw 
down the walls of Jericho, but Joshua's faith in 
God. 'And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, 
I have given into thine hand Jericho.' Then 
God told him what he must do ; how he must 
compass the city, and go round about the city 
once. ' Thus shalt thou do six days ; and the 
seventh day ye shall compass the city seven 
times.' Joshua, no doubt, went on cheerfully 
in his duty ; he did not say, ' Lord, will not 
once do as well as seven times ?' Thus when 
God sends his servants to preach the gospel, 
they must take care to preach it in faith, and 
persevere in the work. They are to cry aloud, 
and spare not ; to lift up their voice like a 
trumpet, and show the people their sin.' They 
must also take care that this be done in love ; 
not in a warm zeal of their own, or a fire of 
th^ir own kindling. This kind of fire will not 
consume the stubble ; it must be the fire of love, 
kindled in the heart by the holy and blessed 
Spirit of God. My prayer night and day is, 
that he would help you to cast the net on the 
right side, that thousands and tens of thousands 
of precious souls may be gathered into the fcld 
of Jesus, and be eternally saved. A good man 
observes, i In order that you may see this, you 



184 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

must pray hard, believe hard, and wrestle hara, 
and never be discouraged.* 

[" Though you do not for a while make that 
havoc in the devil's kingdom which you could 
wish, you must keep up your courage, and con- 
tinue to fire at it. See that you level all your 
artillery well, and load your guns with the 
heaviest shot, aiming at its very foundation. 
for more of that faith which did such wonders 
of old! We want Abraham's faith, Job's pa- 
tience, Moses' meekness, John's love, Paul's 
zeal ; and, I am sure, we want the wisdom of 
Solomon, for we have all kinds of people to deal 
with. I was pleased with the remark, that you 
see more clearly than ever that you can do 
nothing except God be with you. Now for 
God to be always with us, we must be always 
with him. Enoch walked with God three 
hundred years, and had this testimony, that he 
pleased God. Now this walking with God is a 
secret reliance or dependence upon him for all 
we want. ' Without me,' says Christ, < ye can 
do nothing :' but faith gives us to see that every- 
thing we want is in Christ, by whom we 
have access by faith into this grace wherein we 
=jtand. 

* A fountain of life and of grace, 
In Christ our Redeemei we see.'"] 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. ISO 



CHAPTER IV. 

January 15th, 1822.— 

" What now is my object and aim ; 
What now is my hope and desire ?" 

[ bless God, I can say, It is to follow the Lam! 
whithersoever he goeth, and to aspire after the 
perfection of his image upon my heart. From 
the ground of my heart I can say, Christ was 
never so near, so dear, so sweet, so precious to 
my soul as he has been of late, and is to the 
present moment. My soul is in its element 
when I am thinking and talking about Jesus. I 
can say, indeed, with one of my dear friends, 
from whom I have just received a letter, " I am 
at the bottom of all, but I do feel increasing de- 
light in serving my Father and my God." 

" Call'd the full power of faith to prove, 
Let all my hallow'd heart be love, 
And all my spotless life be praise." 

IStk. Last night, while meditating upon 
Christ's death and passion, and his intercession 
at God's right hand, I had a more affecting 
sight of Christ crucified than I ever before had 
in my life. All his wounds and bruises appear- 
ed to my soul in such a manner as affected 
every nerve in my body. I thought on that 
verse of Mr. Wesley : — 

" Five bleeding wounds he bears," &c ; 

and never saw so much in it before ; while a 
voice seems to say, "I suffered this for thee/' 



136 memoir or CARVOSSO. 

21st I have found this day, what I have not 
unfrequently found before, that the violent storm 
is often near the calm. It seemed this morning 
as if all the powers of darkness were let loose, and 
determined to devour me. I kept continually 
calling upon God, and looking up to him, and 
casting my soul upon his precious atonement: 
being determined to hold fast my confidence, 
and not give way to unbelief. I found I had 
nothing of my own to fly to, or depend upon ; 
nothing but my faith. No promise appeared 
all this time ; nor had I any sensible enjoyment : 
nothing but a sight of my weakness, imperfec- 
tions, short-comings, and failings. Not that I 
felt condemnation for any particular act. This 
was a conflict of a peculiar kind ; for thousands 
of times before, when I have been violently 
attacked by the enemy, I have looked up to 
Jesus, and found him to be a strong tower. 
Now, naked faith was my only defense ; the 
only weapon with which I could maintain the 
fight. I looked round for help, and at last I 
thought on our Lord being led up of the Spirit 
into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. 
On this the adversary began to yield : and, in a 
moment, Jesus appeared to my believing eyes, 
and spoke to me in his well-known voice : " To 
him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me 
on my throne, even as I overcame, and am set 
down with my Father on his throne." In an 
instant my enemies were all gone, and 0, how 
did the transcendent glories of my precious 
Redeemer beam forth upon my soul ! and his 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 137 

name was sweeter than honey or the honey- 
comb ! This conflict for the trial of my faith 
was but of short continuance, but quite long 
enough; for it Was smart work on both sides 
while it continued. Could Satan have wrested 
my shield from me, he would have made an 
easy conquest. This I was well aware of ; and 
therefore took the more care to hold it fast, and 
exercise it with all the strength I had ; looking 
eagerly and constantly to my Advocate. 
what necessity there is to keep close to Jesus, 
and to be ever on my guard, watching unto 
prayer ! 

25th. I was never more affected in hearing 
the gospel than I have been of late ; every ser- 
mon I hear seems better than the former. I 
feel an increasing love to the ministers of God, 
and am ready to say, " How beautiful upon the 
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good 
tidings !" &c. 0, I long more and more for the 
salvation of souls, and willingly would spend 
and be spent in helping the children of God 
on their way to glory. I think I never did feel 
my heart so much delighted in the work of 
meeting classes, as of late. My soul rejoiced 
last night to see a poor backslider return to the 
class, for whose restoration I prayed much, and 
with whom I had often conversed on the subject 
of her return to Jesus. The Lord softened her 
heart while she was making an humble confession 
of her revolting from him, and expressing her 
determination to arise and once more seek his face. 

Feb. 2d. The more I converse with sinners, 



1S8 MEMOIR Oy CARVOSSO. 

the more I discover the darkness of their fallen 
state. Yesterday I was talking to a man fifty 
years of age, and found he could not give me 
an answer to that simple question, t " What did 
Jesus Christ come into the world for?" He 
was confessedly speechless, though living at a 
very small distance from a place where the gos- 
pel is preached. what a necessity there is to 
preach from house to house ! 

6th. In the course of the week past I have 
met six different classes, with much pleasure 
and profit : for " where the Spirit of the Lord 
is, " there is liberty." But I mourn to think 
there are so very few who enjoy the full liberty 
of the gospel. Vast numbers of professors look 
at purity of heart as a thing so high as to be 
quite beyond their reach ; and hence are indif- 
ferent about it. Some of them think, if they 
get it they shall never hold it fast. Unbelief 
has so far crushed the energies of their souls, 
that they do not " hunger and thirst after right- 
eousness ;" and the necessity of the thing they 
seldom attempt to urge upon themselves by 
reflecting on such a portion of God's word as 
this : " Without holiness, no man shall see the 
Lord." In meeting classes, and in private con- 
versation, during the fifty years of my pil- 
grimage, and more particularly within the last 
eight years, I have gained considerable know- 
ledge of professors, and must express my grief 
that the number of the half-hearted is so large. 
Alas ! what multitudes are at ease in Zion, 
settled upon their lees, neither hot nor cold 



MEMOIR OF CARTOSSO. 139 

But, blessed be God, the prospect is brighten- 
ing; for the number of burning and shining 
lights, among preachers and people, is on the 
increase. Lord, multiply the happy number 
more and more abundantly ! Amen. 

Were " the mystery of faith" better known, 
the improvement among God's professing peo- 
ple would be much more rapid. Many are not 
defective in their sincerity, but in their faith. 
It is simply because of unbelief that they do not 
enter into that glorious rest which is before them, 
and nigh unto them. They do not see it is their 
privilege to venture now on Christ for the 
blessing they want, whether justification, or 
sanctification, without hesitation or delay, be- 
cause he hath said, " All things are now ready ! 
now is the accepted time, now is the day of sal- 
vation ; by grace are ye saved through faith." 
An impenitent sinner, one who lives in the will- 
ful breach of a known law, has no object of 
faith but the threatenings, which declare that he 
3hall have his " portion in the lake which burn- 
etii with fire and brimstone ;" but every true 
penitent has Christ set before him, and is invited 
and urged, and commanded to lay hold of him 
for pardon, holiness, and heaven. that the 
blessed Spirit would help the infirmities of the 
children of the kingdom, and give them to see 
their privileges, and the way to possess them ! 

2Stk. I attended a missionary meeting at 
Penryn last evening, and felt more than I can 
express for the poor souls that are still in heathen 
darkness. But I thank God for the prospect 



140 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

that the glorious gospel will soon be sent among 
a greater number of them. On this subject 
there is a blessed spirit of unity among preachers 
and people. My heart says, — 

" Jesus, ride on, till all are subdued, 
Thy mercy make known, and sprinkle thy blood , 
Display thy salvation, and teach the new song, 
To every nation, and people, and tongue." 

Lord, what an easy matter it is for thee to 
say to the north, " Give up," and to the south, 
" Keep not back ;" to bring thy sons from far, 
and thy daughters from the ends of the earth ! 
If thou speak the word only, Lord, a nation 
shall be born in a day. Thou hast said, " The 
earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, 
as the waters cover the sea." Then " the wolf 
shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall 
lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the 
young lion, and the fatling together, and a little 
child shall lead them. And the cow and the 
bear shall feed ; their young ones shall lie down 
together." O my Father, my God, what a happy 
world would this be ! How desirable to see it ! 
Thou hast said it shall come. O hasten it, fo^ 
Christ's sake ! Amen and amen. 

March 6. In meeting the class last night at 
Garrick, my soul felt much of the inward hea- 
ven. O what a blessed light shined into my 
mind, while I was giving out this beautiful verse 
of the 341st hymn, — 

11 Open my faith's interior eye, 
Display thy glory from above, 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 141 

And all I am shall sink and die ; 
Lost in astonishment and love." 

April 25th. I paid 1217 Camborne friends an- 
other visit, and lodged at friend Bennett's, Cam- 
borne Yean. It being his appointment to preach 
at Kehelland on the Sunday, he pressed me hard 
to go with him. I feared the walk was too 
long for me to undertake, but went with him, 
and found freedom in speaking to the people. 
On our way from the chapel we overtook two 
young women, and overheard one of them talk- 
ing to the other on the subject of believing in 
Jesus Christ. I stepped forward, and asked 
her if she knew anything of that important sub- 
ject. She said she did once. I earnestly en- 
treated her again to give her heart to God, and 
unite with his people once more. The follow- 
ing week they both came to Captain Lean's 
class ; and, after a hard struggle in prayer for 
about two hours, the Lord set them both at liberty. 

The next Sunday several of the Camborne 
friends, made an appointment to go to Kehel- 
land, to hold a prayer meeting. The news of 
our coming excited some curiosity among the 
people, so that the house was crowded within 
and without. The power of God descended, 
and many sinners were pricked in the heart. 
This was a drop before the shower. The Lord 
began a gracious work among them, and some 
oi the most wicked and notorious sinners in the 
neighborhood were awakened. Trejuthan, a 
spot which had remained barren and unfruitful 
for a number of years, now became as the gar- 



142 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

den of the Lord. For some days the cloud of 
mercy hung over it ; and so plentifully poured 
its precious contents on the dry ground, that the 
de^p concern for the salvation of /their souls 
seemed to draw off the people's attention from 
every other object. I went into a house one 
day, which I had not before entered, to inquire 
after a servant girl in whose spiritual welfare I 
felt some concern. Her mistress, I found, was 
unawakened. I warned her of her danger, en- 
treated her to give her heart to God, and, be- 
fore she slept that night, to commence a life of 
prayer. I commended them to God in prayer, 
and called again in a few days. I now found 
Mrs. E. a penitent, and used my earnest en- 
deavors to lead her to Jesus for pardon and sal- 
vation. After a while we united in prayer ; the 
Lord quickly answered for himself, and filled 
her heart with triumphant joy. It was a pleas- 
ing sight to behold the change in this family. 
Here were the husband and wife, and their ser- 
vant, just brought out of darkness and sin, now 
all rejoicing in the Lord together. 

I took tea one evening at brother Smith's. 
Just before we were going to unite in prayer 
one entered the room who was a stranger tc 
me ; I had no sooner opened my moutn in 
prayer, than he was deeply awakened, and 
roared from the disquietude of his soul. ] 
think 1 never saw a man in my life whose 
anguish of spirit was greater. He was a back- 
slider, and saw and felt his ingratitude. After 
a severe struggle he obtained mercy, and joy- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 143 

frilly testified that God had pardoned all his sins. 
Returning one night from Troon, I saw one 
coming behind me, and felt my mind impressed 
to speak to her about her soul. I stayed till she 
came up with me, and had not spoken many 
words to her before she burst into tears and 
loud cries. Her bodily strength was so affxted 
by the distress of her mind, it was with much 
difficulty we could get her to Captain Lean's. 
Several friends prayed with her ; but she con- 
tinued to groan under the weight of her guilty 
load. The cries and wailings of her broken 
heart were deeply affecting. At length the 
Comforter appeared, and she cried out, " The 
Lord hath shaken body and soul over hell, but, 
blessed be his name, he hath not let me fall in !" 
Some time after, I met her in class, and she 
bore a lively testimony that the Lord had par- 
doned and adopted her into his family. 

Brother W. J. requested me to visit his 
father-in-law. He soon began to weep and ex- 
claim against himself as a vile sinner. It ap- 
peared, that when he was a youth of seventeen 
he knew something of religion, but had now 
long lived without God in the world. He was 
sensible of his state, and scarcely dared to look 
up for pardon. I was affected to see a man 
sixty-three years of age in such a distressed 
state of mind. The tears which streamed over 
his aged cheeks told the contrition of his heart. 
I encouraged him to expect mercy from the 
God against whom he had sinned. I told him 
'here was no need to despair, because Jesus 



144 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

Christ was an Advocate for such sinners as he 
was. "And now," said I, "if Jesus Christ 
has groaned and died to redeem you, and risen 
again fa % your justification ; and is ever at the 
right hand of God making intercession for you ; 
do you not think you ought to love him ?" He 
at once saw his obligation to the blessed Sa- 
viour, and cried out, " O yes, I do, I do love 
him !" At that moment the Lord revealed his 
pardoning mercy to his soul, and he rejoiced 
with joy unspeakable and full of glory; and 
with full hearts we knelt down to give the 
praise to whom it is due. 

I might relate many other instances of a 
similar nature. I believe the Lord never con- 
descended to own my feeble endeavors more 
than he has in my visit to Camborne this time. 
Great good was done in the class meetings, es- 
pecially in Captain L.'s, in which it was not 
uncommon for two or three to find peace in an 
evening. Into this class the people so crowded 
for some weeks, that it could not be regularly 
met at all. As many probably as five hundred 
have been at one prayer meeting. I continued 
with them four weeks ; I was then obliged to 
leave them, because the exertion was too great 
for my bodily strength. Never did I wonder 
more at the universal love and affection of the peo- 
ple toward me. To Jesus alone be all the praise ! 

July 26th. O my Saviour! what shall I do 
to love and praise thee more ! I grieve that my 
faith is not more active, and that my love and 
gratitude do not more abound. I wonder at the 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 145 

goodness of God toward me, and sink with 
shame before him. How is it, that the soul 
being of such value,— God so great and good,— 
and eternity so near at hand, I am so little 
moved ? Lord, stir me up to be more in earnest 
about things above ! 

Aug. 1th. I feel determined more than ever 
that God shall have my whole heart. I want 
to be practically conformed to the good, and ac- 
ceptable, and perfect will of God, and to feel 
the well of living water continually springing 
up within my soul. "I see faith and hope 
must replenish and support my joys : without 
their aid my joy must quickly droop and die. 
But by the aid of these important graces, the 
soul is ever filled with heavenly fragrance; and 
a fire is brought from above which devours all 
the stubble of inbred sin, and every plant, root, 
and branch, which my Father has not planted. 
Hereby my soul shall be purified, in all its 
powers and faculties, even as gold is purified 
in the furnace. Many waters cannot quench it; 
many floods of temptations and trials only serve 
to make it burn still brighter and brighter. 
how precious is this love ! It is the bond of 
union with my heavenly Bridegroom, the pledge 
of my immortal crown, the foretaste of my glo- 
rious heaven above, the source of bliss through 
the ages of eternity. I have found, in all my 
experience, that in every temptation the victory- 
much depends on resisting the first onset. To 
reason for a moment is dangerous. Is the ob- 
ject, or gratification, forbidden ? That is enough, 
10 



146 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO, 

if we truly love the Lord our God. But wheL 
we deliberate, we throw ourselves into the 
arms of Satan. Neither ought consequences 
to be considered : God will see to /these ; better 
suffer anything than his frown." O may I 
ever walk by this rule, and live to please my 
God alone ! 

8th. what am I ? abject nothingness. Yet 
Jehovah is mindful of me ; and after plucking 
me as a brand from the burning ; after cleans- 
ing my unholy soul by the power of his Spirit, 
accepting the conquered rebel ; yea, adopting 
into his family and favor the poor fugitive, he 
doth now reward my poor services with his ap- 
proving smile and continual presence ; teaching 
me in ignorance, strengthening me in weakness, 
supporting me in trials, blessing my feeble en- 
deavors and labors, fighting for me against every 
enemy, and making all things work together for 
my good. O my soul, what mercies ! what 
boundless love ! 

10th. I sse more and more clearly that faith 
is the root from which all the branches of holi- 
ness grow. Christ is the vine, and we are the 
branches, grafted into him by faith before we 
can bring forth fruit. As a branch cannot bear 
fruit of itself, so we cannot bring the fruit of 
"love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, 
goodness, ,, *&c, till by faith we are united to 
Christ. We are not to rank faith among the 
other graces, but to account it the foundation of 
them all. Works do not go before faith, but 
we must believe to work aright. Faith is the 



MEMOIR OF CARVOBSO. 147 

gift of God in a sense highly superior to that in 
which our natural powers may be called his 
gifts. God imparts the power or grace ; but he 
requires us to use it. He commands us to 
believe. My mind was never before so deeply 
affected with the reasonableness and importance 
of these views of faith. And what a damna- 
tion does not the sinner deserve who refuses to 
accept 

" Pardon, and holiness, and heaven," 

on terms so easy ! 

" Only believe, and yours is heaven." 

13th. I awoke this morning very early, and 
found my mind solemnly engaged with God. 
Not a cloud appeared, and my soul longed to 
take her flight to be for ever with the Lord. 
My mind has recently been pained to meet with 
so many who have long been professors of re- 
ligion, and still know nothing of their interest 
in Christ. Of justification by faith, and the wit- 
ness of the Spirit, they seem just as ignorant as 
if they had never heard a gospel sermon in their 
lives. 

16th. It has been matter of great joy to my 
soul to hear of the general revival in the Me- 
thodist connection during the past year; and 
that not less than twelve thousand members 
have been added to the church O Lord, do 
thou grant that these souls may find their way 
to heaven ! 

" Break forth into singing, ye trees of the wood, 
For Jesus is bringing lost sinners to God !" 



148 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

18th. This day I unexpectedly met with a 
Christian friend from a neighboring society. 
I felt our conversation on the things of God 
was particularly profitable. It ^urned on the 
necessity of our retaining a clear witness of per- 
fect love ; not only on account of our own hap- 
piness, but of our usefulness also. My mind 
has latterly been greatly pained to see the little 
effect the gospel has on the minds of the people ; 
how few there are who seem to hear for eter- 
nity! Lord, save them from becoming gospel 
hardened ! 

21st I have just been thinking upon my dear 
son, who is now r in New South Wales. To 
what an amazing distance has the kind hand of 
Providence removed us from each other ! But 
a moment's reflection tells me it matters little 
whether we spend our few days on earth in each 
other's company, or at the distance we now are. 
The evil to be dreaded is a separation that shall 
never end ; and this is the separation which, it 
is to be feared, must take place between the 
branches of many families. How awful the 
thought, that husbands and wives, parents and 
children, should be parted for ever ! I bless the 
Lord, it is transporting to me to look forward 
to that day, when I shall meet my dear wife 
and all my dear children in heaven, to be sepa 
rated from them no more to the countless ages 
of a blessed eternity. 

23c?. I have been meditating on God's ten- 
der mercies toward me, as manifested in Christ 
Jesus ; and really feel astonished that I should 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 149 

spend so small a portion of my time in praising 
him for such amazing benefits. O how am I 
not more thankful ! Lord, save me from the sin 
of ingratitude ! 

28th. In the many waking moments of the 
past night, my soul has had sweet fellowship 
with the Father and with his Son Christ Jesus, 
Glory be to God, I frequently find many pre- 
cious promises applied to my mind when I am 
lying on my bed ! But this morning it was sug- 
gested to my mind, — Suppose these promises 
should not come from the Spirit of God ? For 
a moment I felt a shrinking back, through the 
temptation, to unbelief; but suddenly these 
words were applied to my mind : " Reach hither 
thy finger, and behold my hands ; and reach 
hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side ; 
and be not faithless, but believing." In a mo- 
ment the temptation was gone, and I was con- 
strained to cry out, with Thomas, "My Lord 
and my God." It was a blessed season, and the 
witness of perfect love was again renewed to 
my soul. This blessed witness of the Spirit, 
both in justification and sanctification, is what I 
see the necessity of more than ever. For my 
own part I do not see what progress professors 
of religion can make without this. Did I say 
religion ? Can they be deemed the possessors 
of true religion at all till they so believe as to 
have the witness in themselves ? Till they have 
this gospel faith they can only be denominated 
" seekers of salvation." It is extremely painful 
for me to reflect on the multitudes who are stop- 



150 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

ping short of their inestimable privilege. But, 
blessed be God, I do hope the happy number 
of those who enjoy it is on the increase. Thou 
knowest, Lord, how I long to see it. O send 
forth thy Spirit among the people for thy name's 
sake ! Amen. 

29th. This is a morning without a cloud; 
all is calm, and joy, and peace ; nothing of rap- 
ture, but solid, unutterable bliss ! I cannot ex- 
press what I feel ; it is " joy unspeakable and 
full of glory ;" a sinking into nothing at the 
feet of Christ ; a feeling that he is " all in all." 

" My soul on his fullness delighted I cast." 

30th. This day I went over to see my much 
respected friends at Treworlas. On my way ] 
called to see the old blind man, to whom the 
Lord graciously revealed his pardoning love 
three years ago, while I was conversing with 
him. He was then in the eighty-third year of 
his age. I now found him sitting outside the 
door ; and no sooner did he hear the sound of 
my voice than he knew me, though I had not 
spoken to him for about two years. He still 
retains his confidence in his atoning Saviour ; 
and our interview was crowned by the refresh- 
ing presence of the Lord. I spent five days 
with Mr. W. and his excellent daughter, who 
still bears every mark of the plain, humble 
Christian, though living in the prospect of 
speedily possessing so much wealth. What a 
mercy i* this, having so large a share of the 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 151 

world, and not borne down by the torrent ! 
Lord, do thou keep her henceforth and for 
evermore ! 

I found it delightfully profitable to converse 
with several of my old friends in that neigh- 
borhood. One day I fell in with a poor back- 
slider, and earnestly entreated him to return 
again to the Lord. He accordingly came to 
the class meeting w r hile I was there ; and I have 
since reason to hope that he has returned to the 
Shepherd and Bishop of his soul. Before I 
went, it was my earnest petition that God would 
give me one soul. Glory be to his name, I trust 
he has granted my heart's desire. 

Sept. 18th. This day, while conversing with 
a poor dark sinner, about righteousness, tem- 
perance, and a judgment to come, she wept 
bitterly. O Lord, seal the truth of the gospel 
upon her heart ; and may these impressions not 
be as the early cloud and morning dew ! 

19th. This day, returning from Ponsanooth, 
I fell in with a Christian friend, and we talked 
freely together of the deep things of God. She 
longed to be saved from all the carnal mind, 
but had not clear views of the nature and method 
of full salvation. If saved from all sin, she 
thought it must be impossible to feel such and 
such temptations. On this account her mind 
was often perplexed, and she knew not how to 
proceed to the Canaan of God's perfect love: 
but it pleased the Lord, while I was conversing 
with her on this matter, to shine into her hear* 
by his blessed Spirit, and enable her to go on 



152 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

her way rejoicing. Just as I parted from her, 
I met with a man who had been overtaken in 
a fault, and had for some short time withdrawn 
from the people of God. Of his unfaithfulness 
I had no suspicion till I saw he sought to shun 
me. I talked to him faithfully and affection- 
ately ; he acknowledged his error, and promised 
to return again unto the Lord. He has since 
walked steadily in the path of duty. 

22 d. The Lord keeps my soul like a watered 
garden, as a spring shut up to all but himself. 
How sweet the moments which I have enjoyed 
with my God this night ! His love has been in 
my soul as a well of living water. 

" My hope is full (O glorious hope !) 
Of immortality." 

While pleading for the salvation of a poor 
sinner, with whom I conversed some days ago, 
and whose heart then appeared somewhat con- 
trite, the answer was, " Thy prayer is heard, it 
shall be so." Language fails to describe what 
I felt. 

30^. I rode to Cury, to see Mr. W. Hendy. 
With this man of God, and his pious family, I 
was much delighted ; himself, his dear wife, and 
three servants, all happy in God, and apparentl) 
of one heart and one mind. Joining in prayer, 
at a friend's house, before we parted, the power 
of God came down in an extraordinary manner; 
one young man received the blessing of a clean 
heart, and a young female was awakened, and 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 153 

wept bitterly on account of her sins. We found 
it difficult to part. 

" And if our fellowship below 
In Jesus be so sweet, 
What height of rapture shall we know 
When round his throne we meet?" 

Oct 17th. While I lay awake last night, my 
mind was suddenly impressed, as if a voice 
had spoken to me, that it was my privilege to 
converse with God. I cried out, " What, such 
a worm, — an unworthy worm as I am, — con- 
verse with God !" The thought caused my 
heart to leap for joy ; while new scenes of glory 
shone around me. It appeared as if I was on 
the suburbs of heaven. In this happy frame of 
mind I fell asleep, and dreamed I was in a boat, 
on the water ; while hoisting the sail, a gust of 
wind took it, and the man at the helm cried 
out, " We shall all be drowned." As the scene 
appeared as vivid as if it had been real, I ex- 
pected every moment to be swallowed up in the 
watery deep. But I felt no fear, my mind was 
sweetly tranquil, expecting instant heaven. 
Just then I awoke, and my heart w 7 as deeply 
affected with gratitude toward God, because he 
had kept me from fear in the immediate pros- 
pect of death. This vision of the night has 
done my soul much good. 

Idth. I see it is faith that must bring me to 
the very entrance into glory. Where the one 
ends the other begins. It is observed of the 



154 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

most renowned ancient believers, "These all 
died in the faith ;" their faith did not die before 
them. Faith must bring their dying comforts ; 
and, O how full, and how near a treasure has 
it to go to! To die to this world is to be 
born into another. Faith is an act of reason, 
and believing is a kind of knowing ; even a 
knowing by the testimony of Him whom we 
believe. It will, therefore, not a little strengthen 
our faith, if we contemplate the perfections of 
God, and the nature of our souls. If faith be 
not much exercised in its victorious acts, we 
shall neither know its strength, nor find it 
strong when we want to use it. The life of 
sense is the enemy faith has to conquer. These 
are lessons of great importance ; and happy are 
those who, by experience, are best acquainted 
with them. 

21st I see a greater necessity than ever of 
living near to God, and of keeping the heart 
with all diligence continually, in order to re- 
deem the time ; without this there can be little 
or no progress in the divine life. Without watch- 
ing unto prayer, how soon would this heavenly 
fire abate in my soul ! What a necessity do I 
see for leaders and people to struggle hard to 
keep the life of God in their souls I what a 
danger there is of becoming withered branches. 
Lord, save thy people from a dead, or dry 
formal way of worship ; pour out thy Spirit, 
and let there be a shaking among the dry 
bones ! 

27th, This morning I have felt an Increased 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 155 

vigor of spirit, and a fresh resolution to devote 
myself more fully unto the Lord, and to urge 
on others the great necessity of their receiving 
and retaining the witness of the Spirit. What 
I mean by the witness of the Spirit, Mr. Wes- 
ley very clearly explains in his excellent ser- 
mon on this subject. " The testimony of the 
Spirit," says he, " is an inward impression on 
the soul, whereby the Spirit of God directly 
witnesses to my spirit that I am a child of God ; 
that Jesus Christ hath loved me, and given him- 
self for me ; that all my sins are blotted out, 
and that I, even I, am a child of God. But let 
none ever presume to rest in any supposed 
testimony of the Spirit, which is separate from 
the fruits of it." 

Nov. 1st. I now feel the infirmities of age 
fast growing upon me : my memory fails me 
greatly, especially in writing : I have restless 
nights, and often a violent pain and much heat 
in my feet ; but, while I lie awake, I bless God 
I do not suffer from the lashes of a guilty con- 
science. No, glory be to God, I can say, — 

" Jesus, my all in all thou art, 

My rest in toil, my ease in pain ; 
The med'cine of my broken heart, 

In war my peace, in loss my gain : 
My smile beneath the tyrant's frown, 
In shame my glory and my crown." 

\Wi. I bless the Lord he is still deepening 
anr widening his good work in my soul. In 
af my pilgrimage I never saw so much in- 
>' led in the word " believing" i*s I do now. I 



156 MEMOIK OF CARVOSSO. 

clearly perceive that were I for a moment to 
cease believing, I should at once be swallowed 
up by the enemy of my soul. Were I to suffer 
unbelief to slip in, to true peace of mind I must 
say, "Farewell." But, I bless God, whenever 
the adversary attacks me, I do feel a power to 
look to Jesus ; and I find his name a strong 
tower and a city of refuge. I find no way to 
conquer but through faith in his blood. 

15th. A few days ago, I felt such a longing 
desire to save souls, that I said in my heart tc 
the Lord, that if he would condescend to use me 
as an instrument in his hand, to bring one soul 
more to himself, I would for ever praise him for 
it. When at Ponsanooth, I was informed of a 
young woman who was so ill of a consumption 
that her medical attendant had given her up. 
The moment I heard of her case, I felt an ar- 
dent desire to see her. As she was known to 
have a strong dislike to religion and religious 
people, the friends told me it would be use- 
less : but what they said noways discouraged 
me ; I resolved I would try to gain access to 
her, and, if I could, have some conversation 
with her about her soul. I accordingly went 
to the house, and informed her mother what 
was my business. Her mother said, she was 
not yet come down stairs, but she would tell her 
of it. The answer was, that she did not wish 
to see me. This did not dishearten me, nor 
quench my desire for her salvation ; but it in- 
stantly struck me, that if I would see her at all 
I must come upon her unawares. Two hours 



MEMOIR OF CARYOSSO. 157 

afterward I again called at the house, and found 
her sitting by the fire, exceedingly pale and 
deathly in her appearance. I was well as- 
sured in my mind, that if I would have access 
to her heart I must attempt it in the gentlest 
manner, by the tenderest love and affection, and 
by indirect approaches ; so I asked her several 
questions concerning her complaint, and found 
it such as was likely soon to bring her to the 
grave. I then asked her if she believed there 
was a God ; she answered, " Yes," in a rather 
high and forbidding tone of voice. "And do 
you believe/' said I, " that he knows the secret 
thoughts of your heart ?" " Yes." " But do 
you think you have ever sinned against this 
God ?" " O yes," said she. My heart rejoiced 
to hear from her such admissions as these. 
" And now," said I, " are you willing to die in 
your present state of mind?" She candidly 
confessed she was not. I then told her Jesus 
Christ came into the world to save sinners, that 
he had died to purchase salvation for her ; but 
that he had said in his word, except we repent 
of our sins we should eternally perish ; and that, 
after she had repented, in order to be saved, 
she must believe that Jesus bore the punish 
ment due to her sins " in his own body on the 
tree,' 1 Her heart now began to soften ; and 
she burst into tears, while I endeavored more 
at large to show her from the Scriptures, and 
from our expressive hymns, the willingness 
there was in Christ to save her. At my leav- 
ing, I proposed prayer, to which she readily 



158 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

assented. The next day I visited her again , 
and no sooner did I enter the room where she 
was, than I perceived her to be a very different 
creature from what she was when I approached 
her the preceding day. She now opened her 
mind, and freely entered into the important 
subject ; and while I conversed and prayed 
with her, the Lord wrought powerfully upon 
her heart, and she wept much. Four days 
after this, it pleased God to set her captive 
soul at liberty, by the manifestation of his par- 
doning love ; and soon after she died happy in 
the Lord. 

16th. To-day I had a conversation with one 
of the members of our society, on the subject of 
the witness of the Spirit. Like too many others, 
he was resting short of this privilege. Finding 
he had not read Mr. Wesley's sermons on this 
subject, I earnestly requested him to procure 
and read them as soon as possible. What a 
thousand pities it is, that the excellent sermons 
of Mr. Wesley are so little known or read 
among many of the Methodists ! 

ISth. Last night, in the midst of much pain 
and affliction of body, the Lord wonderfully 
supported me by his presence. O how sweet 
was that union which I had with the Father, 
Son, and Spirit ; and how harmoniously do they 
unite together in the great scheme of my re- 
demption ! I bless God, all my desires are 
satisfied in him ! He is my reconciled God in 
Christ Jesus ; I feel his presence with me in 
sickness and in health, at home and abroad, in 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 159 

reading and in writing. may my every 
breath be praise ! 

Dec. 2£th. This day I left home on a visit 
to Mr. W. Hendy. With him and his happy 
family I stayed several days. On the Sunday 
Mr. W. Thomas came to Cury to preach ; and 
very earnestly pressed me to go to Mullion. I 
was reluctant, on account of the distance, and 
thought to plead myself off; but he would take 
no denial. Accordingly, the next day he came 
himself for me. Religion had been rather at a 
low ebb in Mullion for some years ; and there 
seemed, at this time particularly, a dark cloud 
of unbelief to pervade the minds of God's peo- 
ple. I felt as if I was brought into an at- 
mosphere in which my soul could not live. 
Oppressed with grief, on account of the state of 
things around me, I began to cry mightily unto 
the Lord for help. The third night, while in 
bed, it pleased God to reveal himself to me in a 
wonderful manner. From this gracious visita- 
tion, my faith and hope revived ; a divine 
power descended into my soul, and I felt like 
one made all anew*. I knew the change was 
of God, because of the power which was now 
given me to speak to the people about their 
souls. 

At Mr. T/s I unexpectedly met with one ol 
Breage, in whose salvation I had taken much 
interest ; but, hitherto, she had stoutly resisted 
the strivings of the Spirit of God. I now 
earnestly interceded with the Lord on her 
behalf, and conversed much with her, in the 



160 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

most affectionate and faithful manner, on the 
necessity of preparing to meet her God. 1 
urged her to begin to pray, and at once to give 
the Lord her heart. It pleased God to bless 
my efforts, and seal his truth upon her con- 
science. When I saw this I invited her to 
the class meeting. The second time she came 
while I was meeting the class in Mullion chapel, 
the Lord graciously manifested to her soul a 
sense of his pardoning love. The change 
wrought in her was so manifest, that two 
young men, in the family of Mr. T., were 
thereby powerfully awakened to a sight and 
sense of their lost estate as sinners, and were 
both soon converted to God. This quickly 
spread abroad, the fire began to kindle, and 
there was a blessed stirring up among professors, 
many of whom were enabled to believe unto full 
salvation. 

Mr. F. insisted on my coming to spend a 
Sunday with him at Newton. Before I went, 
I earnestly besought God to make my visit to 
the family a blessing to the souls that composed 
the household. The eldest daughter was a sen- 
sible young woman, about nineteen years of 
age. As soon as I saw her, my soul was drawn 
out with ardent desire for her salvation ; and 
compassionate love constrained me to invite her 
to come to Jesus, and give herself up to the ser- 
vice of Him who had redeemed her. At first 
she stood aloof from every overture, and seemed 
to make light of it ; but one evening I pressed 
aer to go with me to the chapel to a prayer 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 161 

meeting : that night the Lord touched her heart, 
and she was soon brought to enjoy a very clear 
sense of God's pardoning mercy. I conversed 
much with her, and rejoiced to find her mind 
so well informed, her views of the plan of sal- 
vation so correct, and her heart so fully set on 
things above. The Lord grant that she may 
be faithful unto death. 

I went with a friend to the Lizard, and felt 
much of the divine presence while I was speak- 
ing to the people. Many hearts seemed deeply 
affected : may the good seed take root ! 

From this place I went to Ruan, where the 
Lord began a good work among the people. I 
gave an exhortation on the nature, fruits, and 
necessity of faith ; and published for a meeting 
the following evening; when I urged on all 
who were living in sin to prepare for a dying 
hour and a judgment day. Many present were 
deeply wrought on ; I told them we should have 
a class meeting the next night, and should be 
glad to see as many present as were willing to 
forsake tneir sins, and flee from the wrath to 
come. In compliance with the invitation eight 
new members came, and seemed greatly in ear- 
nest to save their souls. 

I lodged at Mr. and Mrs. R/s at Cadge with, 
where I was most kindly entertained. In con- 
versation with Mrs. R., I was grieved to find her 
mind so much weighed down by the sad effects 
of unbelief. I told her it was her privilege to 
be freed from all the deadly evils of unbelief and 
its fruits; that God had commanded her tc 
11 



lt>i MEMOIB OP CARVOSSO. 

reckon herself dead indeed unto sin ; and that 
it was her privilege at that moment thus to 
reckon with God, because Christ had paid all 
her debt, having purchased for her both pardon 
and holiness ; and therefore it was at once her 
duty and her privilege to believe and enter in. 
God enabled her to take the advice : she did 
believe ; and, having plunged into the fountain 
which is opened for uncleanness, she rose every 
whit whole. Jesus granted her all her desire, 
and in the fullness of her grateful heart she 
cried out : — 

" I'll praise Him for all that is past, 
And I'll trust him for all that's to come." 

Nor was it a transient feeling, for I found by 
subsequent intercourse that she was built on the 
Rock of ages. I cannot close this account of 
my visit to Mullion and its neighborhood, with- 
out mentioning the wonderful change that was 
produced in my dear brother, J. T. I often 
lodged at his house, and took frequent opportu- 
nities of conversing with him on the subject of 
perfect love. Though a man of piety and steady 
deportment, yet his mind was often so weighed 
down and dejected through unbelief, that he 
was not unfrequently shut up in Doubting Cas- 
tle. 1 labored hard to point out to him the way 
of simple faith in the Son of God ; and soon he 
was enabled to lay hold on the great salvation. 
From the moment he was brought to enjoy full 
liberty, he became like a flame of fire. Instant 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 163 

in season and out of season, abroad and at home, 
he was preaching Christ ; and the Lord used him 
as the happy instrument of much good, especially 
in deepening the good work in the minds of 
God's children. Many of his friends thought 
a more manifest change was seldom wrought in 
any man. 

In consequence of a promise to return at an 
appointed time to Mr. Hendy's, I left Mullion 
sooner than I otherwise should have done. 
When I was last at Cury, a respectable young 
female was deeply convinced of sin. Her mind 
continuing in a state of bondage through unbe- 
lief, she imbibed a notion, that if she had an- 
other interview with me, her soul would be set 
at liberty, and, through the expected medium, it 
pleased the Lord to reveal himself unto her in 
his pardoning mercy. Like many others who 
have the means of gratifying the taste of the 
carnal mind, she had previously indulged in 
the vanity of dress and fashion ; but now, God 
having clothed her with humility, she made a 
striking sacrifice of all conformity to the world. 
And, what is more remarkable, she had the 
courage to tell the young man to whom she 
had given her company, that he must not cal- 
culate on enjoying her company any more un- 
less he became decidedly religious in his cha- 
racter. This firm and exemplary conduct on 
her part had the desired effect on him. It may 
seem hard for some to credit this ; but I was 
an eye-witness, and can vouch for the truth of 



164 MEjIOIR of carvosso. 

it. Some others got good while I was there 
may the Lord make them steadfast and im- 
movable ! 

The great kindness of Mr. and Mrs. H., and 
the rest of the dear friends under whose roof I 
have been entertained and lodged, can never be 
erased from my mind. I believe I may say ir 
truth, that, since the first day I knew the Lord, 
I never spent eight weeks more happily or use- 
fully. But, O my God, my soul knoweth right 
well, that all the good that is done upon earth, 
thou thyself doest it ; and cheerfully do I ascribe 
to thee all the praise : yes, my Lord and Sa- 
viour, thou shalt have the glory in time and to 
all eternity. 

March 14th, 1823. Since I last wrote in my 
journal, O how greatly has my mind been 
weighed down, to see the indifference, coldness, 
and deadness of the people at Mylor Bridge ! I 
can scarely see one young person in the place 
who has a serious concern for his soul. O that 
God would speedily put a stop to this torrent of 
ungodliness ! 

25th. Yesterday the Lord visited my soul 
in an extraordinary manner : I was constrained 
to shout aloud for joy and gratitude, to think that 
he should make such a worm as I am the in- 
strument of bringing sinners to repentance. 
By a letter from Miss F., of Mullion, I have just 
received a pleasing account of the happy effects 
of the revival in her father's family, and among 
her neighbors. " Wherever I go," she says, 
i( I find religion is the chief topic of conversa- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 165 

tion. My two brothers, a sister, and two ser- 
vants, have all joined the society, and are the 
subjects of a gracious change." I have received 
another excellent letter from one of the young 
converts. When she was made happy in God, 
I advised her to seek out her former companions, 
and do what she could to bring them to partake 
of " like precious faith." It appears she has 
followed up the advice with much zeal and 
perseverance ; and with some she has been 
happily successful. 

[Under the above date, my father writes to a 
local preacher, to whom he had been useful. 
The following is an extract from the letter : — ] 

"My Dear Brother, — I hope you feel the 
same pleasure in preaching a full salvation as 
when I saw you. And while you offer the 
blessing to others, do not fail to live in the 
daily, hourly, and momentary possession of it 
yourself; else you will lose the sweetness and 
divine satisfaction you once enjoyed in this 
blessed work. You know we have need to take 
care of being discouraged in our own minds when 
we meet with difficulties, and do not succeed 
in that way and manner we wish and expect. 
We must not reason about it for a moment, 
but believe and go forward, leaving everything 
quietly in the hands of God ; still acting with a 
single eye to his glory, in all we think, or speak, 
or do. While we thus live we shall continue 
under the divine influence, and be enabled to 
rejoice in the kingdom fixed within Are we 



166 MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 

* soldiers fighting for our God?' let us lake care 
that our spirits never flag, but that we keep 
our faith and courage up. I would say to you, 
my brother, as Paul said to Timothy, i Fight 
the good fight of faith, whereunto thou art called, 
and hast made a good profession before many 
witnesses.' And remember, if we wish to be 
more useful to our fellow-mortals, we must siill 
strive to be more holy ; to get more of the image 
of God stamped upon our souls. for more of 
that faith which casts out sin, purifies the heart, 
and conquers and puts to flight all our ene- 
mies !" 

April 1 2th. For several days past the enemy 
of my soul has made repeated and fierce attacks 
upon me ; it seems as if he had rallied up all his 
forces to try what he could do to shake my con- 
fidence in God ; but, blessed be his name, 

" Still, in spite of sin, I rise, 

Still to call thee mine I dare." 

Without much of this holy violence, I find I 
cannot conquer, or drive back the armies of the 
aliens. But, glory be to God, neither their 
magnitude nor their number discourages me 
for it is not in my own strength I go against 
them : no, because I feel I have none ; but 

" Who in the strength of Jesus trusts 
Is more than conqueror." 

Gladly do I join with one of old, and cry out 
with my whole heart, " Thanks bo to God, who 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 167 

giveth me the victory, through our Lord Jesua 
Christ!" 

May 1st. This morning, in meditating on 
the word of God, I felt it was precious to my 
soul. I could exclaim, " The Lord is my por- 
tion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope i v 
him;" and when I remembered it is said, 
" The Lord's portion is his people," I thought 
within myself, " If the Lord has taken me for 
his ' portion,' and I have taken him for mine, 
then truly I have the best of the bargain. 
yes, I have greatly the advantage ! ' Nothing 
but sin I call my own ;' but he has given me 
the riches of his grace here, and reserved for 
me the riches of his glory hereafter. O how 
delightsome the thought ! He has indeed given 
me not only his gifts, but himself also." While 
I indulged in this train of meditation, my heart 
was sensibly affected with the divine goodness. 

3d, To-day, while on the road returning 
from Penryn, I was reflecting on the gain a 
Cliristian derives from trading with " the hea- 
venly country." In a moment, as if a voice 
had spoken to me, it was inquired, what interest 
I had there. My heart instantly replied, " I am 
a son of the King of that country, and a joint 
heir with Jesus Christ." My conscience did 
not give me the lie, but all within seemed to 
rejoice in the truth of it. 

7th. Through the tender mercy of my God, 
and the kind intercession of my dear Redeemer, 
T am spared on earth to see the return of an- 
other of my spiritual birthdays. I see sufficient 



168 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

cause to be humbled as in the dust before God. 
on account of my short-comings, inperfections, 
and little improvement of my precious time. O, 
it is well for me that I have an Advocate! 
But, on the other hand, what abundant cause 
have I for gratitude and thanksgiving! Yes, 
glory be to thee, my God, I see I have ! I bless 
thy name, I have behold thy mighty power dis- 
played this year in the conviction and con- 
version of sinners ; particularly at Gunwalla, 
Mullion, and Ruan. It is now fifty-two years 
since the Lord spoke peace to my troubled 
mind. Then I could say, " Behold, God is my 
salvation, my strength, and my song :" and, after 
the long lapse of so many intervening years, 
what a heavenly sweetness do I still feel spring- 
ing up in my soul ! Yes, glory be to God, 1 
still feel I am built on the Rock of eternal ages ! 
8th. This morning, early, at the dawn of 
day, when I seemed entering on a new year, I 
renewed my covenant with God, and solemnly 
engaged to be his for ever ; and, glory to his 
adorable name, my God and my Father con- 
descended to renew his covenant with me. In 
a very remarkable manner this promise was 
applied to my mind, " I will put my laws into 
their minds, and in their hearts will I w rite them ; 
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be 
to me a people." Three times God spake with 
power to my soul ; in such a wonderful manner 
did he speak the third time, that had he not 
veiled his glory in a moment I could not have 
lived under it. I cried out, " Lord, it is enough I" 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 169 

I was then enabled to believe from my heart, 
that my Maker had again renewed his marriage 
covenant with me. O what an increase of 
confidence in him did I feel after this ! and what 
fi^sh vigor of soul to pursue my way to the 
realms of bliss and glory! Never, I think, 
shall I forget this morning's covenant with my 
3od. 

July 3d. I am just now returned from a 
tour of six or seven weeks, in visiting the dif- 
ferent societies at Breage, Mullion, Gunwalla, 
Euan, and Helston; and trust my humble 
efforts to convince the sinner, and to establish 
and build up believers, have not been in vain in 
the Lord. During this time of traveling and 
exertion, I have often been led to adore the good- 
ness of God, in so wonderfully strengthening 
my body : I have scarcely felt an hour's pain 
since I have been absent. my Saviour, may 
I never forget to praise thee ! I rejoice much to 
meet so many of those to whom God had made 
me the instrument of good, still standing fast in 
the faith. One of them, who brought a horse to 
carry me to Ruan, informed me, as we journeyed 
on together, that before he saw me, he was 
for seven years in an awful state of backsliding 
from God, and could not see by what means he 
was to escape from his unhappy bondage. I 
well remember the conversation that passed 
between us I would not let him go till I had 
his promise that he would again give himself to 
God, and commence a life of prayer before he 
lay down that night. He now told me that he 



170 MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 

kept his promise. At present he seems to have 
a good work of grace upon his mind : may he 
be found faithful unto death ! 

I also met with the young man with whom 1 
had the conversation about his soul while he 
was smoking. For some time I labored hard 
to awaken his conscience, but nothing affected 
him. I then requested him to lay aside the 
pipe ; and no sooner had he done it, than the 
truth of God touched his heart, and he became 
a penitent at the feet of Jesus. Greatly did we 
rejoice again to meet each other in the flesh ; 
and I trust we shall also meet above. 

I spent three days with the friends at Hell- 
ston, going from house to house, conversing of 
Jesus and the things of eternity. In three of 
the houses which I visited, the awakening 
Spirit appeared to seal the truth on the con- 
sciences of sinners. Some of them wept bit- 
terly. May these gracious impressions never 
be effaced ! 

Aug. 11th. I have recently returned from a 
visit to my much-respected friends at Saltash. 
They nobly hold fast the blessing of full salva- 
tion, and swt more and more established in it. 
They still meet in a select band ; and, instead 
of four enjoying perfect love, there are now 
more than twice that number. I had the great 
pleasure of meeting in band with them, and also 
of seeing another brought into full liberty. In 
this little place there are several of the excel- 
lent of the earth. I should have stayed longer 
tvith these truly respectable friends, but wa* 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 171 

obliged to hasten home, from an attack of my 
old complaint, an inflammation in the leg. 

Sept. 17th. Since I last wrote, I have been 
confined to bed four weeks by a malignant 
fever, and have been brought nigh to the gates 
of death. But I have great cause to be thank- 
ful for the wonderful support which the Al- 
mighty afforded me in the time of trial. He 
applied many great and precious promises as 
cordials to my fainting mind, I felt that his 
eternal power was my refuge, and that under- 
neath were the everlasting arms. The third 
morning after I was laid by, while looking up 
for divine aid, Jesus appeared to the eye of my 
faith, and said, in his well-known voice, " Thou 
art all fair, my love ; there is no spot in thee." 
My heart bounded with transport, my eyes flowed 
with tears, and all within me shouted aloud for 
joy. This blessed visitation afforded me lasting 
strength and comfort, and will, I trust, never 
be forgotten. I praise God he has now so far 
restored me that I am able to walk about a little, 
and attend the means of grace, to the great profit 
of my soul. 

Nov. 30th. A few days ago I was requested 
to visit a person who was dangerously ill, there 
being no hope of her recovery. I was well ac- 
quainted with her, and had often warned her 
of her danger as a sinner, and invited her to 
give her heart to God ; but she did not close in 
with the offers of mercy. After a close conver- 
sation with her, she seemed to obtain some 
knowledge of her lost estate, and showed marks 



172 MEMOIB OP CABVOSSO. 

of repentance. I was sensibly affected by her 
cries and tears, and gave her all the encourage- 
ment I could. The next morning I called again 
to see her: she wept much, but I told her it 
was a nice point to say whether her repentance 
was genuine or not. I, however, felt much love 
and pity for her; and, while endeavoring to 
prove and illustrate, from the word of God, the 
willingness of Jesus to save sinners, and ear- 
nestly interceding with God in her behalf, it 
pleased the Lord to answer for himself, by 
bursting her bands of guilt and sin asunder, and 
shedding abroad his love in her heart. She 
cried out, " Jesus is here, Jesus is here !" She 
now felt clearly assured that God had pardoned 
all her sins by the Spirit which was given unto 
her. The following day I found her standing 
fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made 
her free ; and, in a short time, she entered the 
world of spirits, witnessing the power of Jesus 
to save unto the uttermost. Is not this a brand 
plucked out of the burning ? A short time be- 
fore this occurred, I had been breathing my ar- 
dent wishes to God, that he would again permit 
me to see his holy arm displayed in the salva- 
tion of another sinner. He has now granted 
me the desire of my heart ; glory, glory be to 
his holy name ! No one knows the happiness 
chis affords but those who taste it by expe- 
rience. 

Dec. 6th. I received a message from my 
brother, at Mousehole, informing me that if 1 
would see him once more in the body, I must 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 178 

hasten to him without delay. I set off with all 
speed, and found him very low, but very happy 
in God; 

" Strong in the Loid of hosts, 
And in his mighty power." 

I was with him five days before he took his 
flight to paradise. Such was his assurance of 
solvation, and such the heavenly manifestations 
on the occasion, that I sat by him with sweet 
composure and divine satisfaction of mind, and 
beheld him fall asleep in Jesus. Thus, after 
fighting the good fight of faith for more than 
fifty-two years, he finished his course with joy ; 
leaving behind him a name that will long be 
precious to those who knew him. From the 
time he joined the society, to the day he entered 
into the joy of his Lord, he was one of the most 
unblamable of men : I never knew or heard of 
a stain on his character. The cause of God 
lay near his heart, and to the utmost of his 
power he struggled to promote it. For many 
long years he was one of the principal pillars 
of the excellent society at Mousehole. Many 
of the preachers, who in succession have visited 
this favorite place, held him in high esteem, 
and remember his name with pleasure. The 
regularity with which he attended the prayer 
meetings, and every other means of grace, was 
proverbial. Few men more revered the sab- 
bath than he did. In common with other fisher- 
men, he was often tempted to profane the Lord's 
day by pursuing his ordinary calling; but, in 



174 MEMOIR OF CABVCH3SO. 

this respect, he was an example of self-denial 
and pious trust in God. So generally was he 
beloved and revered for his piety, that all par- 
ties in the neighborhood seemed to regard him 
as the most fit person to instruct, comfort, and 
pray fori them in a dying hour. He filled the 
office of class-leader for more than forty years, 
and greatly was he beloved and respected by 
his members ; and, as a man of uprightness and 
general integrity, his name was known far be- 
yond the immediate circle in which he moved. 
Truly it may be said of him, " He feared God 
above many ;" but now he rests from his labors, 
and his works do follow him.* 

On my way home I visited Breage, Mullion, 
and Constantine ; and rejoiced to find so many 
of those who had but recently entered on the 

* Among his excellences, tmmentioned above, was his 
strong attachment to his Bible. As far back as I can 
recollect, while he was on a visit to my father, I remem- 
ber he said, " When I have been detained at sea two or 
three days, and have not had an opportunity of reading 
the word of God, on entering my house, after I have 
come ashore, at the very sight of the Bible my heijrt has 
leaped for joy within me." Of my father's piety he 
thought very highly. I was present at a prayer meeting 
when my father gave a short exhortation in his usual 
strain. My uncle was there also, and afterward stood up 
to speak a few words to the people. In the course of 
what he said, when referring to my father's remarks, he 
was much affected, and, with a full heart and streaming 
eyes, he observed, " I have now known my brother Wil- 
iam as a Christian nearly forty years, and have alwaye 
been constrained to regard him as one of the best men 
living. " — Edit. 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 176 

work of God steadfast in the paths of duty. 
While I was at Constantine a gracious revival 
commenced, and I had the happiness of seeing 
many sinners awakened and brought to th* 
\knowledge of the truth. 

, Hearing that God had very wonderfully 
visited Ponsanooth, I hastened thither, and 
flu-nd some of the distressed souls in the chapel, 
who had been there several days and nights, 
rukgling in praye^anC crying for mercy. At 
tr. Covey's factory the Spirit of conviction was 
•perating so powerfully that many who had 
een triflers were falling down on their knees 
-o pray in the midst of their work. Indeed, for 
nany days little else was done but attending to 
Chose who were deeply agonizing with God for 
Jieir souls' salvation. Multitudes were the sub- 
jects of a gracious change ; the exact number I 
cannot say, but upward of a hundred gave their 
names to meet in class. 

But not only at Ponsanooth has this glorious 
work broken out : it has gone forth into all the 
societies and congregations round about to a 
great extent. Thousands of sinners are said to 
be awakened. How many, in consequence of 
this general shaking among the dry bones, will 
find their way to heaven, O Lord, thou knowest ! 
These are fair blossoms ; and in due season it 
shall appear who will bring forth fruit unto per- 
fection. May God deal gently with them, and 
show them mercy unto eternal life ! Amen.* 

* Mr. Lovey, whose name is mentioned above, was an 
intimate friend and associate of my father for above fort} 



176 MEMOIB OP CAEVOSSO. 

[I doabt not but it will be both pleasing and 
profitable to the reader to append to this chap- 
ter a brief account of that eminently pious and 
talented man, the late Stephen Drew, Esq., 
barrister at law, of Jamaica, from whom my 
father this year received an excellent letter, in 
answer to one which he had written to him 
The circumstances of this gentleman's conver- 
sion are rather striking, and for different rea- 
sons deserve to be recorded ; particularly as 
they are not known to the public. For many 
years he lived in Jamaica an entire stranger to 
God, far apart from religious people, without 
the means of grace, and surrounded by sensu- 
ality and sin. In 1814 his sister, Mrs. C, of 
Saltash, was savingly brought to God, joined 

years ; and during a considerable part of that time was 
a leading and useful member of the society at Ponsa- 
nooth. In the erection of the present chapel he took 
much of the care and toil upon himself ; and in relieving 
it of its subsequent embarrassments, he labored with 
much benevolent assiduity. For many years the preach- 
ers, itinerant and local, found a hospitable reception un- 
der his roof. After my father had removed to Mylor, in 
his frequent visits to Ponsanooth, he ever found a home 
at his friend Lovey's. He much esteemed my father ; 
and, in the latter years of his life, often kindly sent fcr 
him, that he might have as much of his company as pos- 
sible, and also give him an opportunity of being with the 
society. Toward the close of his active life, he gra 
ciously ripened for his change, and died in 1830, leaving 
to his family and friends a satisfactory evidence, that h 
oad gained the rest that remains for the people of God 
My father attended him on his death-bed, and by his dv 
ing testimony was much comforted — Edit. 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 177 

the Methodist society, and soon became eminent 
for her faith and zeal in her Master's cause. 
The following year, being stationed in the 
Liskeard circuit, my father and I became ac- 
quainted with this accomplished and devoted wo- 
man. The case of her unconverted brother, 
dwelling in the darkness and dissipation of Ja- 
maica, lay near her heart, and was not unfre- 
quently the topic of her conversation. She 
longed for his salvation, and studied by what 
means she should attempt to effect it. Religious 
books she thought a likely instrument, and 
among these Mr. Wesley's Sermons stood first 
in her esteem. Such was her conviction of the 
point and force contained in these volumes, that 
she expressed her belief, if she could only get 
them safely conveyed into her brother's hands, 
God would bless the perusal of them to his soul's 
salvation. At her request I undertook to assist 
her in forwarding them. The books being com- 
mitted to my care, with some considerable diffi- 
culty, I at length succeeded, by the assistance 
of my brother, in getting them delivered into 
Mr. Drew's own hands. After I left the circuit, 
I received a letter from Mrs. C, inclosing the 
amount of the expenses, and conveying the 
highly gratifying intelligence that her brother 
was awakened by reading the Sermons. "I 
have heard from my brother," she says, •* and 
have no doubt but the Lord has already made 
them a blessing to his soul. In his letter to me 
he says, 4 Now I have read Wesley's Sermons, 
1 seem to see with new eyes Ir these sermons 
12 



178 MEMOIR OF CARV05AO. 

everything is as distinctly marked as if the 
writer possessed a powerful optic glass, to bring 
things, the most distant, home, as it were, to our 
very selves, so as to affect us as we were never 
before affected. I do believe he has the key to 
unlock the very mysteries of Scripture doctrine.' 
In the same strain he has written a long letter; 
speaking also of his helplessness as a sinner, 
and his conviction of the necessity of an entire 
change in heart and life. May God, in his 
mercy, make me thankful for this blessing !"* 

# Since the above extract was transcribed I have re- 
ceived another letter from Mrs. C. ; and I cannot refrain 
from adding a part of it in this note. She says her bro- 
ther wrote to her as follows: "Aug. 14th, 1816. — 1 
hope I shall to the latest hour I live be more and more 
thankful for Wesley's Sermons. I know not how to 
speak the utmost I think of them ; for they are, on the 
whole, calculated, in their form and manner, to be more 
effective in reforming the corruptness of our nature, than 
any I ever met with. They speak with astonishing au- 
thority as to doctrine and practice." In a letter written 
a few months after, he states, " The Bible seems alto- 
gether a new book to me. Before I read the Sermons of 
Mr. Wesley, I thought erroneously, like others, that it 
belonged almost exclusively to the Jews ; whereas he 
shows that it more truly belongs to us. The necessity 
of regeneration appears to me as clear as demonstration 
could make it : I mean in the spiritual sense of being 
actually made a new creature by the operation of the 
Spirit of God." I give these extracts here as a valuable 
additional testimony in favor of Mr. Wesley's Sermons, 
and also further to make known their excellent writer. 
I now rejoice greatly at having it in my power to an- 
nounce, that Mrs. Carpenter has it in contemplation to 
prepare for publication a volume, containing the Christian 
memoirs of her late brother, Mr. S Drew A man of 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 179 

Another letter soon after conveyed to her ar 
account of his conversion, and of his having re- 
ceived the witness of the Spirit. He now saw 
the privilege and duty of seeking purity of heart, 
and not long was it before he was enabled by 
simple faith to lay hold on the blessing. From 
this time his life and conduct exhibited the hap- 
py effects of the pure flame of love that filled 
and actuated his soul. He quickly began to 
preach, and the Lord made his testimony an 
abundant blessing. Many were converted 
through his instrumentality, and a church was 
formed in his own house. But in his Cliristian 
life he had many trials to encounter, especially 
in his profession of perfect love ; and his affec- 
tionate sister, wishful to make him, as far as 
possible, a sharer in every good that she en- 
joyed, requested my father to write him an en- 
couraging letter. He did so, and Mr. D., in a 
letter to his sister, acknowledges it in the man- 
ner noticed in the preface. Some time after 
this he wrote an answer to my father. From 
this interesting and deeply spiritual letter the 
following is an extract : — 

" Bellemont, St. Ann's, Jamaica, Feb. 5, 1823. 

" My very Dear Sir, and Father in Is- 
rael, — The letter which you were so kind as 

such fervent, distinguished, and enlightened piety, ought 
to be extensively known to the church of God. Most 
heartily do I wish that Mrs. C. may meet with every en- 
couragement and stimulus to prosecute and accomplish 
her pious undertaking. — Edit 



180 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

to write me was a source of comfort and edifi- 
cation beyond any that I have ever received 
I read it at our quarterly meeting, and it con 
firmed the faith of many. It is 'a great encou- 
ragement to be so kindly noticed by one who 
can say, 'I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course ; henceforth there is laid up 
for me a crown of righteousness/ When the 
chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof 
come for the Lord's aged servant, to him may 
an abundant and glorious entrance be adminis- 
tered ! and on some favored witness may his 
mantle fall, and a double portion of his spirit on 
many! 

" Your own experience of the work of full sal- 
tation on your soul has assisted me to gain a 
correct view of that invaluable blessing. I, for 
a little time, entertained an erroneous notion, 
that, when it is once attained, the soul has ac- 
quired the utmost fullness of holiness and perfec- 
tion that it can attain iii this world. This I see 
was a snare, and Satan turned it against me ; 
for after the Lord's Spirit witnessed this bless- 
ing to me, and enabled me to witness a good 
confession before many, I was assailed with such 
a storm of temptations of various kinds as I 
never had before experienced ; and Satan sug- 
gested my then weakness as an argument that 
I had deceived myself. But I was graciously 
supported, and found it impossible to disbelieve. 
This I now continually experience; so that I 
can no more doubt my spiritual life than my 
natural: and occasionally the intrinsic know- 



MEMOIR OP 0ARVOS4O. 181 

ledge and assurance of this are very strong. 
However, I found from this, that I was but a 
babe in sanctification : I learned that I was in 
firm ; yet, as I loved the Lord with all my heart, 
and served him with all my powers, that infirmity 
no longer alarmed me, there being no particle 
of sin mixed up with it. I am thankful in being 
enabled to say, that, my faith being increased, 
the work of faith has proceeded, and the fruits 
of faith become more apparent. I feel more 
unreservedly devoted to the Lord; more love 
to God, and to every child of man ; more dead- 
ness to the world, and more power over what- 
ever is evil, or from the evil one. I feel that I 
am growing in stature ; and I have an abiding 
and an assured faith that the Lord will preserve 
me until I attain the fullness of the stature of a 
man in Christ. But I feel that I need all your 
prayers, and I know I shall have them, for we 
are one. 

"My temporal and spiritual trials are very 
great ; but the Lord's deliverances are wonderful. 
I will mention one, because it is right with the 
mouth to make confession to the Lord's glory. 
I was this week called to make payment of one 
hundred pounds without delay. The evil of 
procrastination would have been \e*y great in 
some important chancery suits in which I am a 
suitor. To raise the money instantly, I proposed 
to a neighbor to sell some things at a great loss : 
he was the son of my opponent, and a witness 
against me, and a great enemy to my attempts 
to spread the knowledge of redeeming love. 



182 MEMOIR OP CABVOSSO. 

My application was unsuccessful ; the time 
arrived for my answering the demand; I was 
on my knees making it a matter of prayer. I 
felt assurance ; and, while at prayer, a servant 
arrived bringing the money from the same per- 
son, who, in the kindest manner, desired I would 
on no account, in these distressed times, think 
of selling at a loss, as I was welcome to kee p 
the money as long as I pleased. Does not the 
Lord turn the hearts of our enemies, and make 
them to be at peace, if we humbly strive to 
serve him ? 

" In the matter of building a chapel here, I 
am wonderfully supported. I have so far been 
enabled to bear the whole expense. The roof 
is erecting ; and I feel an indescribable, awfui 
joy at seeing the heavy timbers lift their heads. 
The building, including the minister's apart- 
ments, is seventy-two feet long by forty-four 
wide ; and my wife and I mean to give it to the 
society on the conference-plan, with about three 
hundred and eighty square feet of fine land sur- 
rounding it. I trust it will be sufficiently 
finished to admit of preaching in it by May or 
June. By the Lord's mercy there has never 
been an omission of worship in this house any 
Sunday for these last five or six years ; the 
Lord, having impowered and directed my la- 
bors, has owned and blessed them to the salva- 
tion of many ; and the work is greatly spread- 
ing. Seventy-one meet in class under this roof 
every Sunday ; the whole of whom I led 
myself till within a few months back, wheD 



MEMOIB OF CAKVOSSO. 188 

my wife was made class-leader, and took the 
females. In addressing those who attend me, 
I scarcely ever omit, more or less, to show the 
necessity of full salvation — entire heart holiness 
— as alone qualifying us to enter into that place 
where only righteousness shall dwell. Nothing 
but a free, full, and present salvation is the 
doctrine of the gospel of Christ, and where it is 
preached, there will the blessing of God be 
manifest. 

" At the time I heard from you, I was labor- 
ing under very dangerous illness ; during which 
I was supported by the most merciful manifest- 
ations of the love of Christ, rilling me with joy 
unspeakable. He was my Friend and my Phy- 
sician. My health is now graciously restored 
and confirmed, and I am enabled to rise at four 
o'clock in the morning and begin my studies. 
I drink nothing now but milk or water, and 
twice a week abstain from animal food; 
being desirous of setting an example of self- 
denial, in a country remarkable for self-indul- 
gence of every kind, even among many of those 
who profess religion. Having attained the 
limits of fifty years, and seeing nothing I have 
ever done but what I should pray the Lord 
would blot from the book of his remembrance, 
I now, after I have been so long borne with, 
diough so unprofitable, would strive with in- 
crease of years to increase in every self-denial, 
and live closer and closer to God. 

'< I have, by the blessing of the Lord, beeD 
brought through the writing of a book to demon 



184 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

strate the truth of Christianity against the cavils 
of infidels. I have given it to the society for 
the benefit of our missions, and hope it may be 
productive of good.* I am occupied in writing 
a Scriptural Illustration of Faith, with a view 
of inciting Christians to the practice and exer 
cise of it ; as the condition on which we attain 
an assurance of present pardon, and as a means 
whereby we receive grace, and work out a free, 
a full, and an everlasting salvation. This, there- 
fore, should I ever be brought through it, will 
be a practical work ; and I have presented it to 
the Lord, and pray for his guidance, instruction, 
and blessing. You see I mention all my little 
concerns with the confidence of one who is ad- 
dressing his father and friend ; but my remarks 
are incoherent and ill-digested, as I am labor- 
ing under much anxiety, having three of my 
children dangerously ill. I cannot refrain from 
telling you, the mission cause is greatly pros- 
pering here. Friends are raised up to the cause 
in many a quarter among men of the first re- 
spectability, and the number of white members 
begins to increase considerably. The reverse 
has hitherto been sadly true. In these parts I 
have walked singular and alone ; having had 
none of my own color and condition to converse 

* The regulations of our Missionary Society not per 
mitting the committee to accept the work of Mr D., 
above referred to, that, together with the treatise on 
faith, has since been published in England by subscrip- 
tion, in two volumes octavo, under the general title of 
" Principles of Self-Knowledge,"-— Ed. 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 185 

with. But the Lord has been with me, and he 
is Father, Brother, Friend. Believe me, my 
dear sir, 

" Faithfully yours in Christ, 

" Stephen Drew.'* 

[Little more than three years after the date 
of this letter, this eminent man was called to 
his reward above. To that holy cause, on the 
promotion of which his benevolent mind was so 
intently set, God permitted him to fall a sacri- 
fice. A riotous assault being made on the house 
of Mr. Radcliffe, our missionary stationed in St. 
Ann's, Mr. Drew, being a magistrate, promptly 
interposed to quell the rioters, and defend the 
minister of Christ. By the exposure of his 
person, in this act of piety and benevolence, he 
got a severe wetting, which threw him into a 
violent fever, that terminated his valuable life 
in four days. During the illness his mind was 
abundantly supported by the consolations of faith 
and love. When near his death, he directed 
his pious negroes to be brought into his room, 
when he addressed them in the most solemn 
and affectionate manner. And then gave out 
and sung with astonishing energy, — 

" Our souls are in his mighty hand, 
And He shall keep them still ; 
And you and I shall surely stand 
With him on Zion's hill. 

O what a joyful meeting there ! 

In robes of white array 'd, 
Palms in our hands we all shall bear, 

And crowns upon our head." 



186 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

To Mrs. D., whom he was leaving behind with 
nine children, he said, "Lavinia, have faith in 
God." Lying at the feet of Jesus, confessing 
himself the chief of sinners, full of faith and the 
Holy Ghost, and exhorting and blessing those 
around him, he awaited the final summons ; when 
his purified and happy spirit rose in triumph to 
the skies. The poor negroes were deeply 
affected at their loss. One of them, who after- 
ward came to England, observed, that had they 
each had nine lives, they would have given them 
all to save his,] 



CHAPTER V. 

March 11th, 1824. I have now finished the 
seventy-fourth year of my age. Taking a 
retrospect of my past life, I am constrained to 
say, " Goodness and mercy have followed me 
all my days." And, glory be to God, my last 
days are my best ! I often think with gratitude, 
what a mercy it is, that in my old years I am 
enabled to live free from all the distracting 
cares of this world ! Herein I clearly see the 
kind hand that has led me, as well as fed me, 
from my infancy, and in those days when I 
knew Him not. My soul is humbled in the 
dust, to think of the goodness of God. I can 
truly say, I have proved him a Father to the 
fatherless. 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 187 

" O how shall I thy goodness tell, 
Father, which thou to me hast show'd !" 

My prospect is unclouded, and, I believe, ] 
never before felt such an establishment in grace, 
such an inward recollection of thought, and 
such a heavenly frame of mind. Truly, my 
divine Shepherd makes my soul to lie down in 
green pastures. 

May 7th. This is a day which I have been 
anticipating with pleasure and sacred delight, 
Glory be to thee, my God, that I am permitted 
to see another annual return of the memorable 
day in which my soul was brought out of dark- 
ness into marvelous light! Never, I trust, 
shall I forget to praise thee for what thou didst 
for me, a poor sinner, this day fifty-three years 
ago. Unworthy worm as I am, surely I may 
ask, "What shall I render unto the Lord for 
all his benefits toward me ?" 

\bth. Being at Ponsanooth, I was request- 
ed to visit a sick woman, who had for several 
days been distressed about her soul. When I 
entered the room and sat down by her, she 
clasped her hands, and looked earnestly at me, 
crying out, " What shall I do ? what shall I do ?" 
I inquired if she felt herself a sinner. " 
yes/' she replied, "a guilty sinner." I no 
sooner offered her Christ as an able and willing 
Saviour, a Saviour ready at that moment to 
receive her, than she exclaimed, " He died for 
me." This was an exercise of faith that brought 
the power of God at once into her soul, when 



188 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

she cried out, " Glory, glory be to God, my load 
is gone, my sins are pardoned !" The change 
was so evident, that happiness sparkled in her 
eyes, and all her bones seemed to rejoice within 
her. Several friends were present, and we all 
joined to give praise and glory to her great 
Deliverer, I called on her again some days 
afterward, and found her still in the same bless- 
ed state of mind. 

July oth, I believe I never had greater plea- 
sure in meeting classes ; in laboring to prop the 
feeble knees, strengthen the hands that hang 
down, and press on believers to all the depths 
of humble love. Blessed are those who live in 
the possession of all this glorious salvation. O 
my God, I bless and praise thee that ever thou 
didst bring me acquainted with that faith which 
is of the operation of the Holy Spirit; that 
faith which works by love, and purifies the 
heart! 

I have lately had the joy of seeing three old 
backsliders return to God, and their backslidings 
healed. O that others of this class would also 
return to the Lord before repentance be hid 
from their eyes ! On the death of one of these 
poor unhappy wanderers, I have lately had manj 
sorrowful reflections. For some years she was 
a member of my class ; but her heart departed 
from God, and then she left his people. I fol- 
lowed her closely in her wanderings from the 
" fountain of living waters," and frequently 
warned her, invited her, and entreated her tc 
return ; but at length she gave me a flat denial, 



MEMOIR OF CARVOS&O. 189 

saying, " I will never join the society at ." 

The Lord still strove with her. One night she 
had a most terrific dream, and, by her horrid 
screams in sleep, she alarmed the house in which 
she lived. When pressed the following morning 
to tell what it was that induced her to utter such 
cries in the night, she was not at first willing it 
should be known ; but, after a while, she said, " I 
dreamed I w as dying unprepared, and that I saw 
Satan standing by the bedside, waiting to carry 
away my departing soul." When I heard of 
this. I told her, it was certainly an awful warn- 
ing from God, and that she ought not any longer 
to quench the Spirit. But all was in vain ; her 
heart continued obdurate. When she got mar- 
ried, feeling I could not yet entirely give her 
up, I went to her house for the purpose of once 
more trying to persuade her to return to that 
Saviour whom she had forsaken ; but my efforts 
were apparently fruitless. Judge what were my 
feelings when, a short time after, I heard she 
was dead ! She was ill only from the Friday 
till the Tuesday following. The doctors who 
attended her saw the disease was mortal, and 
told her husband of it. She had no apprehen- 
sion of danger herself, and her husband had not 
the courage to communicate the doctor's opinion 
till just before she expired ! I would not limit 
the mercies of God, or set myself up as a judge 
of those who are gone hence ; but surely this is an 
end which ought to be a warning to the unfaithful. 
Another case of the kind, more awful than 
this, came under my notice some years ago. 



190 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

A man with whom I was well acquainted, being 
a professor of religion for a long series of years, 
departed wickedly from God by the sin of 
drunkenness. In his backsliding state I had 
many opportunities of conversing with him ; and 
often did I earnestly entreat him to return unto 
the Lord. But he waxed worse and worse. 
One Saturday, attending market at a neigh 
boring town, he stayed at a public house, with 
two sons of Belial, till near midnight. On his 
way home, he fell down, and died in a moment ! 
His wife told me he was brought home, in a 
state of intoxication, about ten days before by 
one of his companions. " Shall I not visit for 
these things, saith the Lord ?" 

Aug. 22 d. This morning I have proved the 
Lord to be my rock and my strong tower against 
the face of my enemy. I have often, of late, 
been attacked by vain thoughts: it is no little 
thing, at all times, to conquer self. for a 
power continually 

" To catch the wand'ring of my will, 
And quench the kindling fire !" 

These are " the little foxes that spoil the vines , 
for our vines have tender grapes." More than 
ever I see the value of the atoning blood, which 
speaks and pleads for me every moment. 

Sept. 3d. My soul has of late been much 
pained to see the indifference of the people in 
attending the means of grace. May the Lord 
5hake away from us this deadly slumber, and 
stir us all up to set out afresh for the kingdom. 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 191 

1 9tL In the silent watches of the past night, 
the Lord wonderfully revived and cheered my 
soul by his presence. He makes my heart his 
home : I am become a temple of the indwelling 
God. At present I feel " the speechless awe, — 
the silent heaven of love." What is all creation 
compared to this ? It is lighter than vanity ; 
yea, it is dung and dross. " Praise the Lord, 
my soul !" Well might the prophet Isaiah 
say, " Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, 
for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst 
of thee." 

" This, this is the God I adore, 

My faithful, unchangeable Friend." 

Nov. 15th. After a tour of seven weeks 
among various societies, I have returned in 
health and peace ; having scarcely felt an hour's 
pain or indisposition since I left home. 
what cause have I for gratitude to my heavenly 
Father ! In meeting classes, visiting from 
house to house, singing and praying, and talk- 
ing freely of the great things of God's kingdom 
in the heart, I have had many blessed oppor- 
tunities, melting times, and precious seasons 
with the people of God. Several who had lost 
the witness of the Spirit, or let slip the blessing 
of full salvation, were encouraged again to 
lay hold on Christ for a supply of all their 
wants. At Mullion, a much-respected friend, 
who had for some time lived in the enjoyment 
of perfect love, had cast away her confidence, 
and fallen into a state of fear and unbelief. But 



192 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

one day, while conversing with her on the un 
happy effect which unbelief has on the mind 
that yields to it, she was enabled, by a simple 
act of faith, again to lay hold of the blessing ; 
and afterward made a good profession of it be- 
fore many witnesses. Here I had the pleasure 
of meeting several of my spiritual children: 
whom the Lord gave me about two years ago. 
As they still hold on their way well, I pray 
thee, O Lord, keep them unto the end ! No 
one knows the love that is felt for such, but 
those who have begotten them in the gospel. 
St. Paul knew it, when he said to his Thes- 
salonian converts, " For what is our hope, 
or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even 
ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 
at his coming ? For ye are our glory and joy." 
One rather remarkable circumstance occurred 
while I was at Mullion. A friend, who had 
been confined to her house for a long time by 
a sore leg, sent a message by her son, request- 
ing me to come and see her. She began her 
mournful story by relating to me how greatly 
she had suffered from the wound in her leg, 
and that now it had spread downward to her 
foot, and assumed the character of a permanent 
and settled affliction. I inquired how her 
mind was affected under the chastening rod. 
She told me her soul was in a very uncomfort- 
able state. It appeared, on further conversa- 
tion with her, that for many years she ha*, 
known the love of God, but had afterward cast 
away her confidence ; and now, like the foolish 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 193 

Galatians, she was seeking to be made perfec 
by works. She said it was suggested to her, 
that she should never regain her peace of mind 
till she had gone through such and such distress- 
ing exercises, and had submitted to the perform- 
wce of various painful duties. She accordingly 
did voluntarily exercise herself in many ways 
grievous to one in her state of body. " Before 
I could lay down to rest at night, I have been 
on my knees," says she, "by the bedside, till 
three o'clock in the morning." I told her God 
was not such a hard master as to require im- 
possibilities of her ; and, indeed, that all she 
did was nothing in his sight. I asked her if 
she found herself anything the better for all 
that she had thus performed : she confessed 
she did not. Indeed, it appeared to me there 
was not a grain of faith in all her performances ; 
and her case clearly illustrated to me the truth 
of that scripture, " Without faith it is impos- 
sible to please God ; for he that cometh unto 
him must, believe that he is a rewarder of 
them that diligently seek him." After I had 
explained to her more perfectly the way of 
faith, we went to prayer; and the Lord gra- 
ciously answered for himself, set her free from 
her distressed bondage, and filled her soul with 
peace and joy in believing. In a. few days 
after this happy change in her mind, the afflic- 
tion by which she had been so long before con- 
fined to her house was so far removed, that 
she walked to the chapel, though the distmce 
was full half a mile ; and she continued to do 
IS 



194 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

5x/ while I remained there. When I mentioned 
ary surprise at steing her out, she said to me. 
" In healing my soul, the Lord has healed my 
body too." , 

While at this place I met with Lady Max- 
well's Life, and read some parts of it with much 
pleasure and profit ; especially the following re- 
marks : — " From day to day I am made to taste 
of that perfect love which casts out fear; and 
often I experience a plenitude of the divine 
presence. But I most sensibly find it is only 
by a momentary faith in the blood of Jesus that 
I am kept from sin ; and that my soul is more 
or less vigorous as I live by faith. I have never 
known so much of the nature of simple faith, 
and of its unspeakable value, as since I have 
tasted of the pure love of God ; — by it how has 
my soul been upheld in the midst of temptation ! 
The Lord has taught me that it is by faith, and 
not joy, that I must live. He has, in a mea- 
sure, often enabled me strongly to act faith on 
Jesus for sanctification, even in the absence ot 
all comfort : this has diffused a heav en of 
sweetness through my soul, and brought with 
it the powerful witness of purity. I would say 
to every penitent, i Believe, and justification is 
yours ;' and to every one who is justified, and 
sees his want of sanctification, i Believe, and 
that blessing is yours also.' I seem sx. derive 
the greatest advantage from a lively %ith in 
constant exercise ; this secures what T now al 
ready possess, and increases my little stock. At 
times, my evidence for sanctification is «*a strong 



MEMOIR OF CARTOSSO. 195 

as a cable fixed to an immovable rock, and as 
clear as the sun shining at noon : day." 1 
have recorded these remarks, because they so 
perfectly agree with my own views and ex- 
perience. 

Dec. 3d. This morning, while meditating 
on th' riches of divine grace, how was my soul 
filed with the fullness of God, and lost in won- 
der, love, and praise ! Heaven appeared so 
attracting, I was constrained to check the desire 
of departing to be with Christ, lest there should 
be too much of my own will in it. I bless 
God, " to me to live is Christ, and to die is 
gain." Never had one every way so unde- 
serving so much reason to praise the God of 
love. Day by day — nay, every hour that ] 
breathe — he loadeth me with his multiplied 
mercies. If I did not love him with all my 
redeemed and consecrated powers, I should of 
all mortals be the most inexcusable. 0, his 
love to me is boundless ! I prove it an ocean 
without bottom or shore. 0, that all the world 
knew the riches of divine love ; especially the 
rest from all sin, — that rest of perfect love which 
is received by simple faith alone ! 

5th. By the urgent request of the friends at 
Stithians, I attended a love-feast there. The 
preacher having disappointed the congregation, 
I was pressed by many to give a word of ex- 
hortation. In doing it, I found great liberty, 
while faithfully addressing those who were 
living without God in the world. At the love- 
feast, I was delighted to hear the people speak 



196 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

so freely, scripturally, and experimentally, and 
so much to the point. The chapel, at times, 
seemed filled with the glory of God. 

I lodged at brother J. HearieV. He has three 
daughters, all bidding fair for the kingdom; 
and I think I never saw three sisters more 
united in love. The youngest, who had been 
brought to God in the last revival, was longing 
to love the Lord with all her heart. This I 
told her was her privilege, and that God's time 
was the present moment ; but I found she could 
not venture on the atonement. The next day, 
conversing with her again, I asked her, " Can 
you now believe ?" She replied, " No : I still 
feel a bar that prevents my laying hold." I saw 
what she wanted, and requested her to fetch me 
Mrs. Rogers' Memoirs. I opened to the part 
applicable to her experience, and bid her read 
for herself, where Mr. Fletcher invites all who 
felt their need of full salvation, to believe now 
for it. He observed, "As when you reckon 
with your creditor, or with your host; and, as 
when you have paid all, you reckon yourself 
free; so now reckon with God. Jesus hath 
paid all ; and hath paid all for thee ; hath pur- 
chased thy pardon and holiness. Therefore, it 
is now God's command ; reckon thyself dead 
indeed unto sin ; and thou art alive unto God 
from this hour ! O begin — begin to reckon now ! 
Fear not ! Believe, believe, believe ! And con- 
tinue to believe every moment ; so shalt thou 
continue free." This had the blessed effect 
which I longed to see. The words, " Fear not/' 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 197 

&c, touched her heart ; and she wept, believed 
and entered in. And so powerful was the 
change wrought in her soul, that her whole 
frame was thereby greatly affected. 

22d. At the kind and pressing request of 
Mr. Carter, I went to Breage, and remained 
with him a fortnight. Accompanied by Mr. 
C., I visited every house belonging to several 
of the villages round about, endeavoring in 
every family to scatter the seeds of eternal life. 
What may be the result, will be known in the 
great day of account. The people received us 
kindly, and several of them have since attended 
class meeting. I then went to Mr. Glasson's, 
and adopted the same plan in his neighbor- 
hood. 

One day, while conversing with a poor back 
slider, who was just beginning to turn again to 
the Lord, a young woman, who was living with- 
out God, came into the house, and listened very 
attentively to the conversation. I felt my mind 
impressed to say something to her before I left. 
I had talked to her but a very short time, 
before the word reached her heart; and the 
silent tear stole over her cheeks. While pray- 
ing with her she wept bitterly. The next night 
she came to the prayer meeting, and the Lord 
set her soul at liberty. Another, an old man, 
was deeply convinced that night, and soon after 
found pardon. Four that week were brought 
to enjoy the peace of God. 

In going from house to house, I met with one 
woman who appeared to know nothing of prayer 



198 MEMOIR OF CAIiVOSSO. 

I earnestly desired her to try to pray in hei 
heart that God would bless her at that moment. 
It was some time before I could prevail upon her 
to do it ; but no sooner did she lift up the de- 
sire of her heart unto the Lord, than I perceived 
that he answered. Her hard heart was quickly 
melted, and the waters of contrition gushed out. 
She now promised she would give herself to 
God. On the Sunday following, with her scul 
deeply burdened with the guilt of sin, she came 
to the class meeting ; my heart rejoiced to meet 
her there, and soon the Lord turned her sorrow 
into joy. Another mourner, who came with 
her, was also made a partaker of the joys of 
salvation. 

Feb. 3d, 1825. In the past week I have 
visited Ponsanooth : I rejoiced to find so many 
of the young converts steadfast in faith and 
practice. I met the Sunday, Monday. Tuesday, 
and Wednesday classes ; and we had most 
blessed seasons together. The following Sun- 
day I was at their monthly meeting, and surely 
the power of God was with us. Three entered 
into the enjoyment of entire sanctifi cation, and 
bore a lively testimony to the power of Christ 
to save to the uttermost. In meeting the class 
the following evening, another young man en- 
tered into the rest of perfect love ; and tt with 
a loud voice gave glory to God." These were 
seasons never to be forgotten. 

March 2d. In the Methodist Magazine for 
last month, I this day read the memoir of Mr. 
Robert Spence, of York. I know not when 1 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 199 

bave met with any man's experience to come 
so near to mine as his does. A conversation 
with Mrs. Mather was made an unspeakable 
blessing to his soul. It was by her he learned 
his privilege to claim the promise of full salva- 
tion, and expect the evidence in believing. 
Afraid of mistake, he artlessly interrogated, 
'* Is this Methodism ?" It was replied, " It is 
old Methodism — proved Methodism.'' Yes, and 
I bless God that I have the pleasure of putting 
my hand to the truth of this : I can say, " It is 
old and proved Methodism;" for, on the thir- 
teenth day of this month, it will be fifty-three 
years since I obtained the evidence in believing, 
that "the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of 
God, cleanseth from all sin." 

4th. The following observations are delight- 
ful, and deserving of particular notice : — " A 
calm and recollected mind generally produces 
a heartfelt union with a holy God. God is 
love ! sweet truth ; and love is the Christian's 
all ! Love, in us is the divine nature imparted ; 
it is the fulfilling of the law, the perfect law of 
liberty. Whosoever loveth his brother hath 
fulfilled the law to his neighbor ; and he that 
loveth the Lord his God with all his heart, and 
soul, and mind, and strength, hath fulfilled the 
law to him also. To such his commandments 
are, not grievous ; not a task, or a burden, but a 
delight ; they are ways of pleasantness, they are 
paths of peace. His wisdom to guide and teach ; 
his power to protect, help, and strengthen ; and 
his faithfulness, his truth, his mercy, &c, are 



200 MEMOIK OP CABVOSSO. 

all sealed over, and secured to us by covenant 
privilege, and covenant blood." This is strong 
language, but, glory be to God, it is all true. 

6th. Yesterday, while I was ' in my closet 
pouring out my soul in prayer, the Lord the 
Spirit applied these words to my mind, with 
great power and energy: "I have loved thee 
with an everlasting love." At this time my 
soul is encompassed with mercy, and full of the 
hope of immortality. To the praise and honor 
of his grace, who i3 the glorious Giver of all 
good, I can say with good Lady Maxwell, " My 
evidence for sanctification is as strong as a cable 
fixed to an immovable rock, and as bright as 
the sun at noon-day." 

" To know Thou tak'st me for thine own, 
O, what a happiness is this !" 

lih. The more I meditate on divine things, 
the more my soul is lost in the immensity of 
redeeming love. This has an influence so won- 
derfully attractive, that it draws all the powers 
of my heart and mind into it. Well might, the 
poet say — " Who that loves can love enough ?" 

" Jehovah himself doth invite 

To drink of his pleasures unknown ; 
The streams of immortal delight 

That flow from his heavenly throne." 

Methinks I hear Him saying, " Ho, every one 
that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he 
that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat ; yea, 
come, buy wine and milk, without mcuey and 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 201 

without price." what a glorious invitation is 
here ! Blight not rebel man cry out with as- 
tonishment, and ask, " Can it be possible that 
this is the voice of God to me?" Yes, poor 
sinner, it is God's voice to thee; if thou art 
athirst for salvation, salvation by grace. " Sing, 
O heavens, for the Lord hath done it : shout, ye 
lower parts of the earth: break forth into sing- 
ing, ye mountains, O forest, and every green 
tree therein ; for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, 
and glorified himself in Israel." 

26^A. Since I wrote last, I have had to 
mourn over my short-comings and imperfec- 
tions. I long for every thought and desire to 
be continually swallowed up in God. what 
depths of humble love, and lengths of gospel 
truth, do I sometimes see ! I want to sink into 
the former, and rise into the latter. I see I 
must cast myself upon Christ from moment to 
moment, in order to make any progress in the 
divine life. One act of faith will help me to 
a lift; but one act of faith will not do; faith 
must be my life — I mean, in connection with its 
grand object. The Lord has lately very sensi- 
bly taught me this lesson, that as I cannot live 
by one inspiration or breath, but must breathe 
on, and draw the electric, vital fire into my 
lungs, together with the air ; so I must believe 
on, and thereby draw into my soul the divine 
power and the fire of Jesus's love, together with 
the truth of the gospel, which is the tilessed 
clement in which believers live. 

April \Uh. I have lately been reading Mr 



202 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

Fletcher's Letters, and they have been made a 
great blessing to my soul. He exhorts believers 
to hold fast their confidence, but not to trust 
or rest in it ; but to trust in Christ, and remem- 
ber that he says, " I am the way," not for you 
to stop, but to run on in him. This is a wise 
and important observation, which has much in- 
cluded in it. Happy would it be for believers 
did they all comprehend and practically obsei ve 
it! 

20th. A few days ago I was called to visit 
a sick man. I had been with him before, and 
found him very dark and ignorant. I asked 
him if he prayed ; he told me he did. I in- 
quired what he prayed for. That God would 
take him to heaven, he said. " And what would 
you do," said I, " in heaven in your sins ? Heaven 
is no place for an unregenerate souL God's 
word is gone forth, ' Without holiness no man 
shall see the Lord ;' and therefore," I said, " ex- 
cept you repent you must perish." I now found 
him much distressed in mind ; he said he had 
not rested since my conversation with him 
When I beheld him in this state on the brink 
of eternity, it is impossible to describe the love 
and pity I felt for him. He knew but little, 
having never been able to read the word of 
God. I gave him all the help I could ; and 
though a kind of despairing gloom pervaded 
his mind, yet a ray of hope would occasionally 
animate his feelings. In speaking to him of 
the consolations of divine mercy, I was won- 
derfully assisted ; but in the course of a few 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 203 

nours he died. The strong compassion I felt 
for him, connected with those marks of peni- 
tence which he manifested, forbid me to enter- 
tain the thought that he is eternally lost ; but 
this matter must be left to the decision of the 
great day. 

24th. This morning I read that blessed por- 
tion of the word of God contained in the first 
three chapters of the Epistle to the Ephesians. 

what did I discover in the great truths con- 
tained herein ! I can truly say, I felt them to 
be a reviving cordial to my mind. But with 
all his spiritual possessions — his wisdom, piety, 
and usefulness — St. Paul considered himself 
" less than the least of all saints." How deeply 
humbling were his views of himself! Methinks 

1 hear something within me saying, 

" For ever here my soul would be, 
In such a frame as this." 

26^. My heart, I feel, would soon stand 
still in the ways of God, did I not receive those 
regular supplies from above, by which I am 
enabled, daily, to make a fresh start for the 
kingdom. T often compare my heart to a 
watch oi a clock, which must be regularly 
wound up, or it will be found quite useless. 

" Still stir me up to strive 

With Thee in strength divine ; 
\nd every moment, Lord, revive 
This fainting soul of mine." 

29th. In all my life I never felt a greater 
need of praying to my heavenly Father, that he 



204 MEMOIR OF CABVO&SO. 

would continually cleanse the thoughts of my 
heart. I see I must take great care, or vain 
thoughts will lodge within me. I must con- 
fess that I have sustained a loss frpm this quar- 
ter. If not repelled in a moment, they are of 
such a pernicious nature that a sting will be left 
behind; and, were it not for a fresh application 
of the " blood that speaketh better things than 
the blood of Abel," it would prove fatal. But, 
O what a mercy it is, the Christian has a shield 
which, when well exercised, repels every fiery 
dart of the adversary ; but if, for a moment, the 
shield should slip, and a wound be received, 
there is no room for a moment's despair ; for 

" He has an Advocate above, 

A Friend before the throne of love." 

O how great my privilege ! even above that of 
Adam ; for now it is written, " If any man sin, 
we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus 
Christ the righteous." And of his advocacy I 
never saw so much the need as I do at present. 
Not that I am now more unfaithful than for- 
merly ; but I now more clearly see that I de- 
pend on the intercession of Christ for every- 
thing. 

May 7th. It is fifty-four years, this day. 
since God, in his rich mercy, first visited my 
soul with his pardoning love ; and blotted out 
my sins as a cloud, and mine iniquities as a 
thick cloud, for his own name's sake. Yes, 
glory be to God, it was that night that my 
chains fell off, and I partook of the freedom of 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 205 

a follower of Jesus Christ. Nor am I yet weary 
in well-doing, or cut down as a cumberer of the 
ground. O the boundless mercies of my God 
to me ! 

" I would praise thee — I would praise thee ; — 
Where shall I thy praise begin 1" 

26th. I have lately been greatly blessed 
under the ministry of the word ; and in reading 
the blessed book of God. O what beauty do I 
discover in it ! It is sweeter to my taste than I 
ever before felt it 

" I love thy name, I love thy word, 
Join all my powers to praise the Lord." 

I have just received a letter from a dear child 
in the gospel, M. B. It affords me much gra- 
titude and joy to think, that the Lord has now 
kept her six years in the slippery paths of 
youth. 0, my heavenly Father, keep her unto 
the end ! 

30th. " Conviction is not condemnation; as 
children of God, we may be convinced, yet not 
condemned ; convinced of useless thoughts and 
words, and yet not condemned for them We 
are condemned for nothing while we krve God, 
and give him all our heart !" These remarks 
are, I think, just and important ; for the want 
of heavenly wisdom to discern between convic- 
tion and condemnation many sincere souls have 
been foiled by the grand adversary : they have 
yielded to unbelief, entered into temptation, and 
cast away their confidence. Again do I bless 



206 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

God for my present privileges ; having so much 
time and opportunity to retire from the bustle 
of the concerns of this life ; to read, meditate, 
pray, and to write to so many of my much-re 
spected friends on the deep things of God. 
What a heaven have I felt this day in reflect- 
ing on these mercies ! Christ was truly pre- 
cious, and I felt a holy longing to depart and be 
with him for ever. 

Sept 12th. I have of late been much con- 
fined at home by reason of lameness and the 
infirmities of age. Except a few times to 
Ponsanooth, I have only been abroad once for 
the last three months ; and that was on a visit 
to Constantine, when the Lord condescended to 
use me as an humble instrument of pointing 
another poor sinner to the outstretched arms of 
mercy. While meeting brother Harvey's class 
I saw a respectably dressed young man, a 
stranger to me, sitting rather apart from those 
present, who did not belong to the class. I 
afterward inquired who he was, and found him 
to be Mr. James Box, who was in an afflicted 
state of body, but did not enjoy religion. I 
then felt regret I had not spoken to him ; but the 
next day I received a message requesting me to 
visit him. On entering the room where he 
was, I found him on a sofa, in a very feeble 
state of body, and his soul heavy laden, dark, 
and confortless. He expressed strong desires 
for salvation from guilt, and sin, and hell, but 
knew not the way to attain it. Finding that 
he was already of a broken and a contrite spirit, 



MEMOIR OF OARVOSSO. 207 

I immediately pointed him to the Lamb of God. 
Nor had I long been talking to him of Jesus, 
before the blessed light of truth shone upon his 
mind : and while he was repeating with his lips, 
and endeavoring to apply to himself, that pre- 
vious passage of Isaiah, " He was wounded foi 
3ur transgressions, and with his stripes we are 
healed," he was enabled to believe to the saving 
of his soul. The overwhelming power of the 
Spirit so descended upon him, that his feeble 
frame shook under it ; while, in the fullness of 
his heart, he cried out, "Now I can love God." 
After this I saw him several times, and found 
him still holding fast his confidence, and rejoic- 
ing in the God of his salvation. 

15th. During several of the days last past, 
and I may add, of the nights too, for I have 
slept but little, my soul has been in the " land of 
Beulah," where the sun and moon shine together, 
and never go down. This is a delightsome 
country. It is 

" A land of corn, and wine, and oil, 
Favor'd with God's peculiar smile, 

With every blessing bless'd ; 
There dwells the Lord our righteousness. 
And keeps his own in perfect peace, 

And everlasting rest " 

18th. I never in my life so fully understood 
and so felt the blessed effects of, these words as 
I do at present : " He that abideth in me, and I 
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." 
By abiding in Christ we get rooted, and 
grounded, and built up in our most holy faith. 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

the inexpressible blessedness arising from a 
heartfelt union with a holy God ' 

19th. I have just received a letter from my 
dear son in New South Wales, in which he 
mentions the conversations which took place 
between him and me fourteen years back, that 
led to his conversion. As far as my recollec- 
tion goes, I think he is correct. He says : — 

" You may be assured I have not forgotten 
the conversation about the salvation of my soul 
which took place while we were standing to- 
gether near the entrance to the stable-door. 
But the remarks which you made to me, on 
the following Sunday, I think, while I was 
occupied in my old way, about your declining 
health, and the disquietude which it would give 
you in a dying hour to leave me behind in an 
unconverted state, enforced as they were by 
the eloquence of falling tears, and the sighs of 
a full heart, produced on my obdurate mind a 
deeper impression than any previous effort of 
your faithfulness and love. But the most effec- 
tual and best remembered of all your paternally 
kind attempts to effect the great change in my 
soul, was the invitation to attend the class meet- 
ing, which you gave me on the succeeding 
Tuesday evening. Though at this distance of 
time, and very much greater distance with re- 
gard to place, everything that occurred that 
evening is as vivid in my recollection as if it 
had taken place but yestesday, and in the house 
in which I now sit. I was then sitting in my 
usual position, with the books open before me 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 209 

jrhich had so long kept my heart, from God. 
Half-past six o'clock was the time ; — I knew it 
was the meeting night, and, from what had 
taken place between us on the Sunday, I antici- 
pated another attempt that evening. At length 
the fastening of the door moved ; it produced a 
thrill within me ; you entered, prepared for the 
meeting, and I was affectionately urged to go 
with you, and cast in my lot with the people of 
God. I could hold out no longer : the conquest 
was won ; and I yielded to the reasonable request 
to accompany you to the hallowed and hallow- 
ing assembly of those that feared God. In so 
doing I found my soul stimulated to seek that 
grace by which I was enabled to turn my feet 
to the testimonies of the Lord ; and, having 
obtained help of God, I continue to this day. 
To Jesus, my Saviour, be ascribed all the 
honor and the praise !" 

I have often thought, if parents were to plead 
more importunately with God in behalf of their 
own offspring, he would surely hear their cry; 
and we should not see so many professors' 
children living in a state of ungodliness and sin. 
I remember my wife told me, that, after she had 
once been fervently pouring out her soul to God 
in behalf of our children, on rising from her 
knees — the Bible being on the table before 
her — she opened it on these words, which she 
regarded at the time as given her in answer to 
prayer : " One shall say, I am the Lord's ; and 
another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; 
and another shall subscribe with his hand unto 
14 



210 MEMOIR OP CABVOSSO. 

the Lord, and surname himself by the name of 
Israel." The Lord granted her the desire of 
her heart, for she lived to see her three 
children converted to God. Now / I consider, 
that, as God has promised to pour out his Spirit 
on our seed, and his blessing on our offspring, 
he has graciously bound himself to hear 
prayer ; and we have an unquestionable right 
to pray for the fulfillment of the covenant ; nay, 
he himself has gone so far in encouraging us 
to ask the fulfillment of his promises, that he 
has condescended to say, " Put me in remem- 
brance ;" as if he had said, " When you pray, 
be sure to bring the promises with you." 
Hence, I conclude, if I have faith to give full 
credit to God's word, that promise which I lay 
hold of is mine, and all it contains, so far as my 
wants are concerned. On the other hand, if I 
entertain a doubt, or stagger at the truth of God, 
I consider I have no claim, and my prayers 
will not find access. Such is the dreadful 
effect of unbelief, that, speaking after the man- 
ner of men, it binds the hands of God. It is 
said of Jesus on one occasion, " He could do 
no mighty work, because of the people's un- 
belief." I see a great deal included in that 
verse of our hymn which says, — 

" Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, 
And looks to that alone, 
Laughs at impossibilities, 

And cries, It shall be done !" 

But we must not forget, that, however great 
may be our faith, it may be tried to the utter- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 211 

most* This is very evident from the cases of 
Abraham, and the woman who came to our 
Lord for her daughter. Both these had mighty 
faith, yet were they severely tried before either 
of them obtained their suit. The great object is 
to persevere in the prayer of faith. While all 
things are possible to him that belie veth, we 
must endeavor so to believe as never to faint 
in crying to God. This is the conduct that 
honors him ; and the Lord saith, <fc Them that 
honor me, I will honor." 

25th. The word of God never appeared so 
valuable in my eyes as at the present moment. 
Truly it is a lamp to my path, and a light to 
my feet. All language fails to express the re- 
gard which I feel for it. " How sweet are thy 
words unto my taste ; yea, sweeter than honey 
to my mouth : thy testimonies have I taken as 
a heritage for ever ; for they are the rejoicing 
of my heart." Blessed be God, this is not only 
David's experience, but through grace it is 
mine also. I feel an ardent desire and holy 
longing within me to outvie, if I could, all the 
heavenly host in loving and praising the God 
o{ my salvation. 

'■ Vying with the heavenly choir, 
Who chant thy praise above , 
We on angles' wings aspire, 
The wings of faith and love." 

28th. Yesterday Mr. J. Box, of Constantine, 
sent for me. I found him confined to his bed, 
still holding fast his confidence in God. how 



212 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

uid we rejoice to see each other ! He has had 
severe conflicts with the adversary of his soul, 
particularly on this point, that God will at 
some future period leave him— a common tempt- 
ation — but against which God has provided an 
express remedy, by saying, " I will never leave 
thee, nor forsake thee ;" and again, " They shall 
never perish, neither shall any pluck them out 
of my hand." Precious promises ! and happy 
is that man who is blessed with precious faith 
to claim them for his own. 

The following remarks, which I have just 
met with in a favorite author, contain spiritual 
directions winch appear to me particularly wor- 
thy of observation : — " Fly from the cooling 
influences of unbelief, and get under the rays, 
the melting rays, of the Sun of righteousness. 
If any idol has got possession of our hearts, 
there is no other way *f casting it out, but by 
getting them filled with a nobler object, even 
Jesus ; and then all the charms of our idols will 
sink into nothing ; and we shall hate the intruders 
which so long possessed the place of Christ." 

Oct 10th. Mr. J. Box again sent to fetch 
me, requesting that I would come and remain 
with him some days. I found him full of faith 
and love. He rejoiced greatly to see me, and 
said, " You are my spiritual father : I never 
knew what faith was till I saw you." I told 
him he must give all the glory to God. At 
this time no one expected death was near ; but 
the next day he was taken violently ill. In 
this conflict, which was the struggle of death. 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 213 

he suffered greatly for fourteen hours ; but 
throughout he held fast an unshaken confidence 
in his Redeemer, and at last came off more 
thai conqueror. As he drew nearer and nearer 
the closing scene, his faith and hope grew 
stronger and stronger. At last he cried out, 
" The angels are coming!" and soon after, with a 
heavenly smile on his countenance, he breathed 
his last. One thing is rather remarkable, and 
seems to show that angels themselves are not 
sufficient to help in a dying hour. When he 
exclaimed, " The angels are coming !" he turned 
to me as I sat by his dying pillow, and asked. 
" Will Jesus come too ?" I replied, " Jesus is 
already here." 

Thus died this excellent young man in the 
twenty-fifth year of his age. He died in the 
house of his elder brother, Mr. M. B., a man 
of much respectability in the world. Fgr some 
time his kindness would not suffer me to quit 
the family ; and, being thus detained, I took 
every opportunity of conversing with him on 
the subject of preparing to meet his God. The 
circumstances were favorable to such conversa- 
tions, and I soon found his heart- was open to 
conviction. The day after his brother's inter- 
ment, while reasoning with him on the great 
truths of religion, and the importance of enjoy- 
ing God, the Spirit of God rested upon us, his 
heart became deeply contrite, and he expressed 
his readiness to covenant immediately to be the 
Lord's. When I saw this I felt no hesitation 
in preaching to him Jesus and the atonement 



214 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

I urged him at once to rest his guilty soul orj 
the merits of that blood which Christ had freely 
shed for the remission of his sins. From the 
testimony of the word of God, I fissured him 
that his ransom was already paid, and that the 
duty which remained for him was to believe 
with all his heart. Soon he was enabled to be- 
lieve with his heart unto righteousness, and with 
his mouth he made confession unto salvation. 
He received the inward witness, and testified 
that God, for Christ's sake, had pardoned al! 
his sins; and we rejoiced together with "joy 
unspeakable and full of glory." 

Knowing the difficulties and dangers he 
would have to encounter, in holding fast his 
faith in Christ, I recommended him to take the 
first opportunity of uniting with the people of 
God : to this he readily assented, saying, " And 
you must remain with us till next Sunday, 
when I will go to the class meeting with you." 
Being then about to leave home on some public 
business in which he was engaged, he requested 
that I would intercede with God in his behalf 
before he went. " Pray," said he, " that my 
faith fail not." So we kneeled down together 
before God, and, under a blessed sense of his 
presence, we rendered to him the praise and 
glory due to his name ; and entreated him 
henceforth to afford help to his servant in " time 
of need." According to his promise, the follow- 
ing sabbath he accompanied me to the class 
meeting ; and great was the rejoicing which he 
occasioned, while, with melting simplicity, he 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 215 

declared what God had done for his scul. 
Lord, do thou grant that he may pro\ e faithful 
to the grace given ; and may I meet him, as 
well as his happy brother, with the sheep at thy 
right hand ! Amen, and amen. 

Dec. \Wi. About two months back my soul 
was drawn out to pray for a certain person. I 
entered into a solemn covenant with God, that, 
if he would bring her to the knowledge of the 
truth, I would eternally praise him for it 
From that time to the present, I have pleaded 
hard, and " travailed in birth," for her. Several 
times while at a throne of grace interceding for 
her, I felt a degree of assurance that the Lord 
would answer my prayers ; but something like 
a doubt or fear following the impression, I still 
pleaded on for a clearer and stronger evidence 
of it. Last night, while praying for her, I felt 
more than usual on her behalf ; and, not willing 
to give up, after praying nearly two hours, I 
said, " Lord, methinks I could stay all night 
praying for her, could I gain my suit." In a 
moment these words were applied, as if spoken 
to my mind, "Thy prayer is heard, it shall 
be so." At the same moment, the circumstance 
of Cornelius was brought before me, that his 
prayers had come up as a memorial before God. 
Assured hereby that God would grant me the 
desire of my heart, I was constrained to shout, 
" Glory ! glory !" and for two hours I was 
drawn out in such a heavenly strain, that I 
could say nothing else but " Glory, glory, 
glory l" Now Isaac was not born immediately 



216 MEMOIR OF OARVOdSO. 

on God's making the promise, nor on Abraham's 
believing it ; yet, according to his faith, it was 
at length done unto him. Lord, may not I stag- 
ger through unbelief! Speak the word only, 
and it shall be done : for thou art the same yes- 
terday, to-day, and for ever ! 

I remember a similar circumstance occurred 
in my experience about thirty years back, which 
is now as vivid and fresh in my mind as it was 
when it took place. My wife's sister lived with 
us. She had a cancer in her breast. It was 
cut out; but, being left too long before the 
operation took place, it proved fatal. She was 
a moral young woman, but had all her days 
lived a stranger to the new birth. I frequently 
conversed with her about the necessity of her 
experiencing this divine change, but without 
any visible effect. One day, w T hile reflecting on 
the awful consequences of her dying in an un- 
converted state, I thought with myself, " How 
shall I ever be able to bear the idea of a soul 
being lost out of my house !" The reflection 
was too painful for me to endure. In the barn 
where I was, I bowed down before the Most 
High God ; and, I believe if ever I prayed in 
my life, I prayed then. Before I rose from 
my knees, God gave me a divine assurance 
that he would save her. I said nothing to her 
of this, but still exhorted her to be in earnest 
with God for the salvation of her soul. Soon 
after this occurrence, being on a distant part of 
my farm, I received a message desiring me to 
come to her immediately. I hastened with all 



MBMOIB OP CABVOSSO. 217 

speed, and found the Spirit of God had gra- 
ciously awakened her conscience, and that she 
was now distressed with the burden of guilt and 
sin. Before I left her bedside it pleased God 
to reveal his mercy to her broken heart ; and 
she could feelingly say, with the poet, — 

" See there ray Lord upon the tree i 
I hear, I feel he died for me." 

Methinks I now see her, with her lifted hands, 
and streaming eyes, steadfastly looking up like 
dying Stephen. Shortly after this happy change, 
it pleased the Lord to take her to himself. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Feb. 17th, 1826. I see I have need to be 
truly humbled before God on acount of my 
not always keeping faith in lively exercise. 
Though cleansed from sin this moment, through 
the efficacy of the all-purifying blood, this purity 
cannot be retained but by a momentary depend- 
ence on Christ. 

{ Every moment, Lord, I need 
The merit of thy death." 

Of the necessity of dependence on a Saviour's 
blood, none are so deeply conscious as those 
who feel its utmost efficacy. 

March 3d. My lameness and the infirmi- 
ties of old age have generally confined me at 



218 MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 

home of late In this state I have often thought 
of the words of Kempis : " Leave desire, and 
thou shalt find rest." I bless the Lord I feel 
no murmuring or complaining, but I have a 
longing desire to have my heart more enlarged 
and filled with God. 

[1(M. Under this date he writes to his old 
correspondent, the local preacher, as follows :— 
" I wish to know how your faith stands, and 
how you are getting on in the ministry ; whether 
in fishing for souls you have of late been as 
successful as in former days. I trust the Lord 
is still with you, and does not leave you to go 
a warfare at your own charge. How does 
your little class thrive ? Are all the members 
alive to God ? all healthy and strong ? all fruit- 
ful branches in the heavenly vine ? I am afraid 
that both preachers and leaders too often lose 
sight of the importance of full salvation. It 
clearly appears to me, did I lose sight of this, 
my faith would soon lose its edge. I hope you 
have not lost your zeal or your love for pre- 
cious souls ; whenever this occurs, our useful- 
ness is all over. Never, I trust, will it be the 
case with my dear brother T. I can assure you, 
that, since my first acquaintance with you, I 
have not ceased day and night to remember 
you at a throne of grace. May a double portion 
of Elijah's spirit rest upon you !"] 

May 7th. Thank God, I am preserved to 
see another return of the day on which I was 
born from above. Fifty-five years have now 
expired since I was plucked as a brand from 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 219 

the burning, and brought to taste the riches of 
my Saviours grace. Giving glory to him, I 
find he is still precious to my soul. Upon serious 
reflection, I think I do love him more than ever. 

what a blessed day has this been to me ! In 
meeting the class this morning, I could say, — 

" My hope is full (0 glorious hope !) 
Of immortality !" 

Not being able of late to visit my friends at a 
distance, my time has chiefly been taken up in 
writing to many inquiring souls on the deep 
things of God ; and, blessed be his holy name, 
not altogether in vain. I have heard of five 
who have entered into the glorious liberty of 
the children of God. O my heavenly Father, 

1 pray thee that thou wouldst keep them stead- 
fast, till we all meet at the marriage-feast of the 
Lamb! 

[13tk. The following is an extract from a 
letter under this date, addressed to the corres- 
pondent mentioned in page 217 : — 

[" Should it please my heavenly Father to re- 
move my pain, and enable me to walk, I should 
rejoice once more to visit you ; but I find my 
happiness consists in living in the will of God. 
I am thankful, if I cannot visit my friends, that 
1 can write to them ; and in this way the Lord 
has been pleased to make me successful in my 
attempts to do good. Never, I believe, did I 
feel a greater pleasure in the work of the Lord. 
Not that I have anything to boast of; I am a 
poor hell-de3erving sinner; but Christ is my 



220 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSo. 

Saviour, and he is my all in all. In reading 
over one of Mr. W. P. Burgess's sermons, I 
lately met with some remarks on a present and 
full salvation, which are much to t}ie point. I 
think they set the subject in the clearest light 
I 3ver saw it ; and because I know you are fond 
of ' strong meat/ I will give these to you :— 
He says, ' The great salvation of the gospel is 
communicated moment by moment from above, 
and is apprehended by simple faith. It is our 
duty every moment to expect, and our privilege 
every moment to receive, a full salvation. The 
act of faith must be repeated till it is ripened 
into a habit ; and when faith in Christ is become 
the habitual and uniform disposition of the heart, 
it will secure a constant participation in all the 
blessings of the new covenant. Our privilege is 
to enter now into the enjoyment of the salvation 
we need; and, having once apprehended, never 
to lose it, but hold it fast unto the end/ that 
every preacher, and leader, and private member, 
were living in the happy possession of this faith 
and this salvation ! How would it rejoice my 
heart ! Thank God, the heavenly flame is 
spreading ; but lukewarm and half-hearted 
professors are the greatest enemies God has ir 
stopping the progress of this glorious work. 
Satan knows it is vain for him to put the un- 
godly and the wicked to do this ; for they would 
rather add oil to the flame, and make it spread 
the faster ; but they are those within the pale 
of the church whom the grand adversary em- 
ploys to arrest the progress of the work of 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 221 

holiness. It appears, St. Paul had to do with 
some such characters in his day : l And I, bre- 
thren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, 
but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat ; 
for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither 
yet now are ye able.' I hope you are still the 
same humble, loving, and zealous follower of 
the bleeding Lamb, that you were in days and 
months that are past ; and noways discouraged 
in your work, if you do not immediately see all 
the fruit you expected. We must always act 
from a consciousness of duty, and then leave 
the event to God."] 

15th. I think it is the duty of those who take 
the lead at the public means of grace, to have 
their eye on such as appear to be under the 
particular strivings of the Spirit; but in this 
respect our people are not always so vigilant as I 
could wish. I was at a prayer meeting a short 
time ago, when there was a young man, in the 
back part of the chapel, who appeared some- 
what affected. When the meeting was over he 
went out, but our people did not seem to regard 
it. I asked who he was, and where he lived 
and found him to be a young man with whom I 
had some time before had a conversation about 
Ins soul. Two of the friends accompanied me 
to his house ; and I had not spoken many words 
to him before he began to weep. When I saw 
he was wounded, I told him there was a Phy- 
sician at hand, waiting to heal his soul. We 
then knelt down ; and while I was at prayer 



222 MEMOIR OF CARVOS80 

with him, the Lord filled his soul with peace 
and joy in believing. The next morning I re- 
joiced to find him at the class meeting ; and now 
he bids fair for the kingdom. 

28th. I am just now returned from visiting 
my dear friends at Ponsanooth, and many are 
the blessed seasons which I have had with them, 
Here I had the pleasure of meeting with one 
who happened to be there on a visit, with whom 
I once had some profitable intercourse. She 
had now been a Methodist for some years, but 
was still complaining of an evil heart of unbelief. 
From the carnal mind, which is enmity against 
God, she manifested great anxiety to be deliver- 
ed, but was unacquainted with the way of 
simple faith. While conversing with her on 
the subject, God was pleased to enable her to 
trust her all in his blessed hands, and he filled 
her soul with unspeakable joy. " Never," said 
she, "did I feel the like before." I advised 
her to commit it to writing, which she promised 
me she would do. For want of this, many, I 
believe, let slip and lose the blessings of God. 
May God have this handmaid in his holy keep- 
ing ! 

[Sept. 6th. To his old correspondent he wrote 
as follows : — " I rejoice that you are still so suc- 
cessful in seeking the good of souls. This is 
the most important work in the world, as the 
day that is swiftly approaching will fully make 
manifest. ' They that be wise shall shine as the 
brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn 
many to righteousness as the stars, for ever and 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

ever. 5 It is not said that this great work must 
be effected by any one particular means ; whe- 
ther by preaching, exhorting, conversing, or 
praying : no ; but if they are God's instruments, 
they shall surely have their reward, if they 
' turn many to righteousness.' May the God 
of heaven make you, my dear son, one of the 
happy number! And the hope of being by 
your side in that day causes the silent tear to 
flow down my cheeks while I write. God has 
opened my faith's interior eye, and at this 
moment so displays his divine glory, that I am 
overwhelmed, and lost in astonishment and love. 
And shall we, from the rivers of his grace, 
drink in endless pleasure ? Glory, glory, glory 
be to God, for such joys and prospects ! At 
this time I may say, with Mr. Fletcher, ' God 
has laid an embargo on my body.' But I now 
leave desire ; and find his will sweet. Great 
part of my time is taken up in writing to various 
friends, on the subject of inward holiness ; and 
I cannot express a thousandth part of the plea- 
sure I feel in being thus employed for God. 
I bless the Lord, I hear many have lately found 
their way into that Fountain which cleansetb 
from all sin."] 

2fyh. Not able for some months past to go 
abroad, as usual, to visit the friends of different 
societies, many, who reside at a distance, have 
visited me for the purpose of conversing on the 
subject of full salvation ; and I trust some of them 
have been profited. I have a letter from one 
of them now before me ; the writer says, — " i 



224 MEMOIR OF CARVOS!>0. 

believe I shall have cause to bless God eternally 
for directing me to you. Before that time I 
was like a ship without a rudder, beaten about 
by the pitiless storms of pride, self-will, and 
other temptations ; but now, I feel I am re- 
deemed from sin through the blood of Jesus 
Christ. Glory be to God for this free, this full 
salvation ! I no longer contend with tempta- 
tion : but, on the appearance of the tempter I 
instantly fly to the foot of the cross ; where I 
immediately find redress, and obtain fresh 
strength for combat. I have had the pleasure 
of seeing several others enter into this happy 
liberty, while conversing with them on the 
subject." 

Feb. 8, 1827. I am ntfw returned, after an 
absence of sixteen weeks ; which I have spent 
chiefly among the societies in the St. Austell 
circuit. The first three weeks I spent at Stick- 
er, where I saw the power of God displayed in 
cleansing many sinful lepers. I lodged at the 
house of Mr. and Mrs. Carthew, whose kind- 
ness, while I remained with them, I shall never 
forget. Many came to converse with me on the 
subject of perfect love : among others, W. B. ? 
who was a class-leader. After some conversa- 
tion with him, he said, " I have long been con- 
vinced of my want of purity of heart, and have 
long sought the blessing in vain/' I said to 
him, " My brother, the cause of this is in your- 
self: you have most probably been seeking it 
by works, and not by faith. By this you will know 
whether you have been seeking it by works or by 



MEMOIB OF CARVOS80. ZZL 

faith : if by works, you have always something 
to do; if by faith, why not now?" He saw 
at once where his error lay : and in a short time 
was enabled to believe with all his heart, and 
was so filled and overwhelmed by the Spirit of 
God, that he could scarcely support his body 
imder it. His strength was so affected by the 
joy of the Lord within him, that he could not 
walk home without the assistance of a friend. 

From this place I went to St. Austell, and 
tnet with a very kind reception from Mr. Lawry^ 
at whose kind and urgent request I had come to 
visit the friends in the circuit. Here I remain- 
ed ten days, and beheld the work of the Lord 
wonderfully prospering. 

My next place was Charlestown, where I 
was gladly received by Mr. Banks and family. 
One night, while meeting Mr. B.'s class, I was 
holding out the privileges of God's people ; when 
one young man present felt the refining fire go 
through his heart, and bore a clear testimony 
that God had cleansed him from all sin. Two 
others, while I was there, were also made par 
takers of the great salvation. I have often ob 
served that where God revives his blessed work 
there is a power in operation which cleanses 
believers, as well as convinces and converts 
sinners. This I have more particularly remark- 
ed in the revivals which I have witnessed of late. 

After I had remained at Charlestown eight or 

ten days, a conveyance being kindly sent to 

fetch me, I proceeded to Mevagissey, where 1 

was affectionately welcomed, and lodged at the 

15 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

house of Mr. James Dunn. For about a w-'i 
I went from house to house in my usual way, 
but nothing particular transpired in the way of 
movement among the people. At/ last I heard 
that a young woman was convinced of sin, and 
wished to see me. While I was conversing 
with her she wept much: and, at the prayer 
meeting in the chapel that night, she cried aloud 
for mercy. Tins was the beginning of the 
revival at Mevagissey. Afterward we had 
prayer meetings every night for seven weeks, 
and I witnessed some of the most remarkable 
conversions I ever saw in my life, especially 
among a number of old people. 

One day, while musing on the wonderful 
works of the Lord, these words came with much 
light and power, " Whosoever shall call upon the 
name of the Lord, shall be saved." They had 
such an effect upon my mind, that for a moment 
I cannot tell how I felt ; but something within 
suggested, " This day is come." In the course 
of that day, I had seen the truth of it exempli- 
fied in three different houses which I had been 
requested to visit. None of them who were the 
subjects of the change had been at the chapel. 
1 asked one of them, "In what way did the 
Lord work on your mind ?" She replied, " 1 
was reading a hymn ; and when I came to 
these words, 

* I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me ;' 

I turned over these words in my mind again 
and again, ' Jesus died for me ! Jesus died foi 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 227 

rke !' I then felt a desire to pray : but, while 
on my knees, my husband came in, and I was 
ashamed; when he went out I fell on my knees 
again, and told the Lord, I never would rise 
more till my soul was set at liberty." Soon the 
Lord gave her the desire of her heart, 

'* No mattei how dull the scholar whom He 
Takes into his school and gives him to see ; 
A wonderful fashion of teaching he hath, 
And wise to salvation he makes us through faith." 

There were several converted who had been 
in the habit of attending the Calvinist chapel : 
this made no small stir among them. One of 
these sent for me to come and converse with 
her. I knew not what place of worship she at- 
tended, and therefore at once came to the point 
with her, and asked what she wanted : she im- 
mediately began to exclaim, " What a sinner I 
have been !" Seeing she was wounded by the 
Spirit, I endeavored to lead her to the Physi- 
cian without delay; and as soon as I had ex- 
plained the way of faith to her, the Lord set 
her soul at liberty. Tears of joy streamed from 
her eyes, and gratitude overflowed her heart. 
We then knelt down together, and gave God 
the glory. This was soon spread through the 
town : and the Calvinist minister, having heard 
that I had robbed his church, came to the 
woman to inquire what I had said to her. She 
replied, " Sir, I am not a member of your church, 
nor ever was : so that you have not suffered any 
great loss : and as to the man you allude to, he 



228 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

never inquired what place of worship I attended, 
but showed the way to come to Christ, in order 
to be happy, and now I know I am a new crea* 
ture." This surprised him; and Jie wondered 
how the work could be done so soon. The wo- 
mar replied, " I was made happy in five minutes 
after he explained to me the plan of salvation 
by faith. Though I sat under your ministry 
for some time, you have never shown me the 
way to happiness by believing in Christ." 

I was sent for by another. When I came, 
she was in a despairing state, writing bitter 
things against herself, and fearing she was one 
of the reprobates. I said, " Is there no balm in 
Gilead, no Physician there, no Saviour now 
to save sinners ?" I then exhorted her to look 
to Jesus, who had verily shed his blood for her, 
and exercise faith in the atonement. In a few 
minutes her load of guilt was removed, and she 
was filled with peace and joy in believing. Soon 
after this she gave up her seat in the Calvinist 
chapel, and regularly attended ours ; as did 
several others. 

One day I called to see an aged woman who 
had met in class for thirty years ; and while I 
was telling her of the danger of resting satisfied 
without the evidence of her acceptance in the 
Beloved, and the impossibility of getting to hea- 
ven without being born again, she was pricked 
to the heart, and fell on her knees, and began to 
cry for mercy. Her prayer was, " Lord, nave 
me from dropping into hell !" In her loud and 
vehement cries for mercy, my voice was soon 






MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 229 

lost. It was affecting to see and hear her 
daughter, who, though not possessed of religion 
herself, said, " O my dear mother, hold out, 
hold out!" The Lord dealt very graciously 
with her, and soon granted her the " knowledge 
of salvation by the remission of her sins." Her 
face shone as it had been the face of an angel, 
and she went round the room, clapping her 
hands, and shouting the praises of God ; appa- 
rently with all the activity of a girl of fifteen, 
although she was then fourscore. 

The blessed influence so generally rested 
upon the minds of the people, that cries for 
mercy were frequently heard in the houses as 
we walked the streets. It was thought by the 
elders, that such a revival had never before been 
witnessed at Mevagissey. Upward of one hun- 
dred and fifty were brought to the Lord, besides a 
great number of children. While I was there, 
I was often led to think whether the Lord did 
ever more strikingly bless my feeble endeavors. 
The eight weeks I was with them, I could 
seldom get to bed before one in the morning; 
and sometimes I was called again before 
breakfast to visit persons in distress. But the 
Lord gave me strength according to my day. 

Among the aged who were converted, there 
were two brothers, who were brought in about 
the same time ; one was sixty-three, and the 
other in his sixty-seventh year. The wife of 
the elder brother had long been a pious member 
of the society ; he was her persecutor, and sel- 
dom or never attended the house of God. The 



230 MEMOIR OF CARVOSPO. 

Lord found him out in his dwelling ; and, hear- 
ing that he had begun to pray, I was requested 
to visit him. I had not long conversed with him, 
before he was more deeply awakened, and began 
to cry aloud for mercy. After praying with 
him I left him. In the evening I called on him 
again ; and while I was pointing him to the 
Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the 
world, God revealed his mercy to his soul, and 
he cried out, " My burden is gone, the Lord 
has pardoned all my sins ; glory, glory be to his 
name !" I saw him several times afterward, 
and found his confidence unshaken ; and what 
is rather remarkable, he told me he could never 
sing before, but now he was singing, and prais- 
ing God all day long. 

May 1th. Another year of my spiritual life 
is rolled away. Blessed be God, my face is still 
Zionward, and I am happy in a Saviour's love ! 

what return shall I make to my God for all 
his benefits toward me ? I would for ever 

" Fall at his feet, and the story repeat, 
And the Lover of sinners adore." 

10th. I would not undervalue the grace which 

1 have already received, because nothing is 
more likely to hinder the soul's progress in holi- 
ness ; but how clearly do I see I could not 
stand acquitted before God one moment without 
the atonement! After fifty -six years spent in 
the service of God, I find I have nothing to 
keep my soul in motion but faith in the blood 
of Christ. Without this I should at once be as 



MEMOIR OF CARYOSSO. 231 

a ship becalmed. Glory be to God for precious 
blood and precious faith ! I am much delighted 
with Mr. W. P. Burgess's views of the atonement. 
Ii one of his excellent sermons he observes, 
" The merit and atonement of the Saviour are 
the price by w T hich all the blessings of the new 
covenant may be purchased : they constitute a 
full equivalent, for their value is inestimable 
and infinite. Whoever, therefore, approaches 
the footstool of Jehovah, trusting solely in the 
merit and atonement of Christ, pays down the 
full price for every blessing that he claims, 
and may expect it on the ground of justice. If, 
in dealing with our fellow-creatures, we bring a 
full equivalent in our hands, and pay dow r n a 
fair price for any commodity which we need, it 
would be injustice to withhold it : even so when 
we ask, in the name of Jesus, for full redemp- 
tion and entire purity, justice requires that our 
prayers should be heard, and our petitions 
granted. So that, if God be just, he will not 
only pardon our sin, but cleanse us from all 
unrighteousness. Thus, then, we see the jus- 
tice of God furnishing us with strong encourage- 
ment, and imboldening us to ask and receive 
every blessing purchased for us by the adora- 
ble Saviour." 

lliere is much included in these remarks, and 
they deserve to be well pondered in the heart 
of every believer. On the necessity of having 
constant recourse to the blood of sprinkling, he 
remarks, (in perfect accordance with my views 
and experience,) " Even when we are cleansed 



232 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

from all the pollution of sin, we shall be sensible of 
numberless frailties and deficiencies, which will 
render it necessary for us continually to have 
recourse to the atoning blood of Jesus ; and our 
best services are so imperfect and unworthy, 
that, were they not offered in the name cf Christ, 
and on the ground of his all-availing sacrifice, 
they could by no means be acceptable to God 
But, while we live in the constant exercise of 
faith, embracing the whole record that God has 
given concerning his Son, we shall have con- 
stant experience of the efficacy of the Redeem- 
er's blood, and shall from moment to moment 
enjoy a complete salvation from sin. Nothing 
short of this comes up to the standard of apos- 
tolical experience ; and nothing short of this 
should ever satisfy us." May these glorious 
truths be more and more known and felt among 
all the members of Christ's church ! 

\4ih. Much of my time has of late been taken 
up in answering letters. Since my first attempt 
at writing, I was never so busily employed in 
this way. In three weeks I have written 
twenty-five letters. My visit to the St. Austell 
circuit, especially to the Mevagissey, has greatly 
added to the list of my correspondents. I feel 
the employment delightful ; it is rendered a very 
great blessing to my own soul. 

June 16^. For many years the church of 
God in this parish had remained in a barren 
and winter state ; but, blessed be the Lord, he 
has lately been pouring out his Holy Spirit 
upon us, both jat Flushing and at Mylor Bridge. 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 283 

Many have been awakened and converted from 
the error of their ways ; and what adds to the 
joy is, that some of the branches of my own 
family are among the happy number. My 
daughter's son, William Bundle, is one of them. 
For many long years had I prayed for him: 
lie is truly converted, and has a zeal about 
him which promises to make him useful. May 
God preserve him and keep him steadfast unto 
the end ! 

July 25th. Since I wrote in my journal, un- 
der the above date, a solemn and most unex- 
pected change has taken place in the family. 
My dear grandson, William Bundle, so recently 
brought to God, and so hopeful in the church, 
has been snatched away from us by the hand of 
death. He was ill only a very short time ; but, 
glory be to God, he died in sure and certain 
hope of a glorious resurrection to eternal life ! 
How merciful are the dispensations of God! 
His conversion took place about six weeks 
before his removal from hence. He did not 
long groan under the burden of guilt, and his 
evidence of pardon and adoption was very clear. 
At a prayer meeting two or three weeks before 
his death, he received an overwhelming mani- 
festation of the Spirit, in which every doubt and 
fear was utterly put to flight. He attended his 
class a few days before his death, and seemed 
to be filled with unspeakable joy : " My soul," 
says he, "is like a ship in full sail on the bound- 
less ocean of redeeming love." His death was 
occasioned by the rupture of a blood vessel. In 



234 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

all the conflict he was perfectly tranquil ar„J 
serene: fear was not permitted to come neai 
him. This was the more striking, because, in 
every little indisposition before, he was much 
alarmed and distressed at the thought of death ; 
but now he seemed at once ready-winged for 
the flight. To his father, who had fondly hoped 
that he would be the help and comfort of his 
advancing years, he said, " Father, you can do 
very well without me ; and I would rather die 
than live." The Lord, whom he had so heartily 
chosen for his portion in the vigor of health, 
was now his abundant support in the struggle 
of pain and death. Just before he expired he 
said to me, " I used to be struck with terror at 
the thought of dying, but now I can meet death 
with a smile." He died in his nineteenth year. 
When at a neighboring place of worship the 
Sunday preceding his death, it was remarked 
by some who knew him, what a fine, healthy, 
blooming youth he appeared. What a lesson 
is this to all who seek their happiness in this 
world! Mr. Hay man this evening applied the 
solemn event by preaching to a crowded con- 
gregation from 1 Samuel xx, 3, " There is but 
a step between me and death." 

Nov. 27th. I have just received an affection- 
ate letter from Mr. Lawry, in which he urges 
me to pay another visit to the friends in the St. 
Austell circuit. He says my warm friends at 
Mevagissey propose to man a large boat, and 
send it to Flushing for me, that my lameress 
may be no obstacle to my visiting them. Jn 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 235 

the dealings of the Lord with me, with respect 
to my bodily health, there is something remark- 
able. Last year, about this time, I was at 
Sticker, St. Austell, &c, in the midst of various 
revivals, and felt but very little fatigue, or pain, 
01 feebleness, from all the labors I engaged in. 
For ten months after this I was chiefly confined 
at home, by weakness, lameness, and the vari- 
ous accumulating infirmities of age : I could not 
walk without much pain and difficulty ; but now, 
within the last three or four weeks, the Lord 
has in a great measure removed all my bodily 
ailments. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and for- 
get not all his benefits ! 

Last night I had a wonderful display of the 
divine goodness and mercy; such a plunge, 
indeed, in the ocean of God's love, as I thought 
exceeded all I ever before experienced. It was 
such a weight of glory — such an overwhelm- 
ing sense of the divine presence, that I seemed 
lost in wonder, love, and praise ! My happy spirit 
appeared to mingle with the glorified throng 
around the throne of God. It seemed to me 
vhere was but a very thin partition between me 
and the world of glorified spirits. I thought I 
could sweetly join with them in singing, " Unto 
Him who hath loved us, and washed us from 
our sins in his own blood, and made us kings 
and priests, — to him be glory for ever and ever! 
Amen." 

Jan. 1UA, 1828. I am just now returned, 
after a tour of eight weeks among the different 
societies at Sticker, Austell, Charlestown, Me- 



236 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

vagissey, &c I rejoiced to find that the nume- 
rous young converts stand exceedingly well. Ai 
the quarterly meeting, held at St. Austell, we 
had one of the best love-feasts I ever attended. 
The testimonies borne to the reality and bless- 
edness of the doctrine and experience of purity 
of heart exceeded everything of the kind I had 
before witnessed. 

While at Mevagissey a young woman came 
to me at Captain Dunn's,- and said her mother 
wished to speak with me. I went to the house, 
and found she had been a regular hearer at the 
Independent chapel. On my inquiring what 
had induced her to send for me, she said, " Her 
mind was so greatly oppressed by the burden 
of grief and sin that she knew not what to do." 
I requested that a Bible might be given to me ; 
and while I was pointing her to those portions 
which were suitable to her state, and explain- 
ing to her the privilege which the gospel holds 
out to penitents, God was pleased to reveal him 
self to her, and she found liberty through the 
blood of the Lamb. With tears of joy running 
down her cheeks she cried out, " I will now go 
to a class meeting." Before I left the place, I 
had the pleasure of meeting her there twice : 
may I also meet her in " the general assembly 
and church of the first-born !" 

Mrs. R., of St. Austell, mentioned to me a 
person who was then lying very ill, and in a 
despairing state of mind. I said I should wish 
to see her. When I was conducted to her bed- 
side, I inquired the state of her mind : she said, 



MEMOIR OP CABTOSSO. 237 

"I am afraid I shall be a lost soul." I re- 
proved her for entertaining such hard thoughts 
of God ; and told her she ought not to do it. 
" God," said I, " is a God of love, and Jesus 
hath died to save you." I then showed her 
how she was to receive Christ, by believing 
the precious promises God had made to peni- 
tents ; and, while I was instructing and en- 
couraging her to trust in the atoning Saviour, 
God revealed his mercy to her sorrowful 
mind, and set her soul at liberty from the 
grievous bondage under which she groaned. 
Feeling the blessed deliverance the Lord had 
wrought out for her, she lifted up her eyes and 
hands to heaven, and joyfully exclaimed, — 

" Now I can tell to all around 
What a dear Saviour I have found." 

The load of guilt being removed, filial confi- 
dence filled her heart; and therefore, in the 
true spirit of Christian resignation, she said, " I 
can now give up my children and all into the 
hands of the Lord." After this I visited her 
several times, and always found her in the same 
comfortable state of mind. 

Oct. lltk. Through the great goodness and 
mercy of God I am now returned from a tour 
of nearly six months. The first three weeks 
after I left home I spent with my various friends 
at Camborne. Thence I went once more to see 
my old friends at Mousehole ; whom I had not 
visited for nearly five years. When I arrived, 
the life and power of religion seemed to be, 



238 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

comparatively, at rather a low ebb among them 
and what increased the gloomy appearance was 
some little unpleasant things had just before 
occurred in the church, which c6ntributed to 
estrange some of their hearts one from another. 
I used my humble endeavors to remove stum- 
bling-blocks, and unite them all together in 
Christian love, and to stir them up to pray for 
a revival of God's blessed work. During the first 
week we saw no particular displays of the quick- 
ening power of the Spirit in any of the means 
of grace. On the following Tuesday we changed 
the house at which the usual prayer meeting was 
held: — we had it at friend Wallis's, instead 
of friend Jeffry's ; and here we first felt the en- 
couraging tokens that God was about to afford 
gracious answers to our prayers. It was pub 
lished that the following night the meeting 
would be held in the chapel. There was ar. 
increased attendance, and I exhorted the friends 
to plead hard with God, and expect an outpour- 
ing of the Spirit. After this meeting, a general 
concern took place in the minds of the people. 
The prayer meetings were crowded by hun- 
dreds of attendants, and all the inquiry was, 
" What must I do to be saved ?" Some of the 
most hardened sinners were cut to the heart, 
and cried aloud for mercy; and the work of 
God went forward with mighty power. This 
extraordinary visitation from above continued 
four months; and the "revival at Mousehole" 
resounded far and near. Vast numbers, moved 
by different motives, came from a distance of 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

many miles, to see the wonderful works of God: 
and not a few of the strangers who came from 
curiosity were converted in the chapel at 
Mousehole ; and, like the eunuch, were found 
on their road home — going on their way re- 
joicing. 

Thus the heavenly fire was carried to differ- 
ent villages and societies in the circuit ; and the 
thanksgiving of many redounded to the glory 
of God. This revival was carried on in the hest 
order I ever saw one in my life. From the best 
information I could get, I think about two hun- 
dred have joined the society ; and I have good 
reason to hope, that by far the greater part of 
them have not only been awakened, but have 
been also brought to experience a clear sense 
of God's pardoning mercy. Some of them, pro- 
bably, will prove unstable ; but that I shall meet 
many of them in the great day, with the sheep 
at God's right hand, I have no doubt 

Mousehole now appears like a new town ; in- 
stead of scores of men of different ages standing 
in groups on the cliff, talking about worldly 
things, and idling away the sabbath, as they 
used to do, there are now scarcely any but 
such as seem to " remember the Lord's day to 
keep it holy." It has been a custom at this 
place, from time immemorial, for men, women, 
and children, to go out to the island on Mid- 
summer day ; but this year a subject of greater 
importance so occupied their attention, that not 
a single individual was seen there on the occa- 
sion. Even the children were also so impressed 



240 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

with seriousness, that not one of them would 
kindle a bonfire on Midsummer-eve. These 
little facts serve to show what a universal seri- 
ousness pervaded all ages and classes. 

When the revival took place, and for some 
time afterward, there was very little fish taken, 
and consequently much poverty prevailing ; but 
I heard no complaining among them. The won 
ders of the Lord, daily displayed in the convic- 
tion and conversion of sinners, seemed to en- 
gross nearly the whole conversation of the place. 
During the four months that I was with them, 
there were very few houses in Mousehole that 
I did not visit from religious motives ; and very 
few men, women, or children with whom I did 
not converse on the necessity of preparing to 
meet God. The effect of this on their minds 
will be known only in that day when God 
shall assemble all nations, and "the judgment 
shall be set, and the books shall be opened." 

So happily did my time pass away while 
actively employed in this good work, that four 
months appeared only as four days. It was 
astonishing to all the friends, as well as to my- 
self, how the Lord supported my strength. 
Day and night I was employed in visiting, in- 
structing, and exhorting ; and in praying with 
the distressed, both in their own houses and in 
the chapel. Truly I found verified, in my ex- 
perience, the truth of that promise, "As thy 
days thy strength shall be." That I should, al 
the advanced age of seventy-nine, be enabled 
to endure such a continuance of extraordinary 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 241 

toil and labor, is surely by the Lord's special 
help and goodness. I believe God never more 
visibly owned my poor efforts than he has in 
this blessed revival in my native place and 
society. the boundless mercy of my heaven- 
ly Father to unworthy me ! He has saved me 
and kept me in his ways these fifty-seven years ; 
he has given me favor in the eyes of the peo- 
ple in every place ; and he has also given me 
spiritual children, some of whom are landed 
safe on the eternal shore, and others are on theii 
way to glory. " Bless the Lord, O my soul, 
and forget not all his benefits !" my Saviour, 
cheerfully do I ascribe to thy name all the ho- 
nor and the praise ! 

20th. Yesterday two persons came from 
Falmouth to converse on the subject of full 
salvation. A few days before God had very 
graciously visited them, and revealed to their 
souls much heavenly light on the subject, but 
they said they wanted to be more established 
in the truth. They appeared full of simpli- 
city and holy resolution, longing to be Chris- 
tians according to the measure of God's word. 
Our interview was profitable : they declared 
that all their scruples were removed ; and they 
returned home rejoicing, giving glory to Him 
to whom alone it is due. " When Jesus is our 
peace, strength, righteousness, food, salvation, 
and our all, we are penetrated with the con- 
sciousness of it : without this feeling we should 
never rest, nor ever think we have it strong 
enough : this it is to * keep the faith.' " 
16 



2*2 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

27tk. Of late I have felt the truth of the- 
following remarks : — " Pain and sickness fol- 
low ease and health in quick succession. Bui 
amid all the possible changes of this life, 
Christ is a rock. To see him by faith, to lay 
hold of him, to rely upon him, to live upon 
him — this is a refuge from the storm, a shadow 
from the heat. Jesus Christ ! What a gift ; 
a gift of free grace ! And for whom ? For 
me, a sinner ; and, as such, I believe in his 
name." I always feel my heart refreshed when 
talking, or writing, or thinking of Jesus. To 
meditate on the glories that compose his 
adorable name is food to my soul. O Jesus, 
teach me to know more of thy infinite and un- 
searchable riches, thou incarnate Deity, that I 
may love thee with a never-ceasing love, and 
serve thee with increasing zeal till thou bring- 
est me to thy glory ! Amen. 

30th. I have just now received a long and 
well-written letter from one of my children in 
the gospel. The dealings of the Lord toward 
his creatures are often very singular. We 
have an instance of this exemplified in the case 
of the writer of this letter. I have alread) 
mentioned my visiting from house to house, 
during the revival at Mousehole. In my calling 
on different families, I happened to enter a 
friend's house where she was. Desirous of 
shunning an interview with me, she fled by the 
back-door. On seeing this, I expressed my 
regret, and my inclination to follow her I was 
told it would be useless as I could not over 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 243 

take her ; but, on stepping to the front-door I 
saw 'her running into a neighbor's house. 
Unwilling that Satan should triumph in obtain- 
ing a victory that way, I went to the house 
after her. When she saw me approaching, she 
ran up stairs. I did not think it proper to p ur- 
sue her any further; but knowing she was 
wit an the hearing of my voice, though I couk 1 
not see her, I delivered to her my messag 
from below stairs. And, having done so, 
closed my remarks by saying, " Rememt<w, 
God says, ' Except you repent you must perish.' 
I have now faithfully warned you of your dan- 
ger, and you must meet me at the bar of God, 
to give account of the use you make of it." 
As she did not make her appearance, I with- 
drew, and left her to her own reflections. Be- 
fore the close of the day, it was reported that E. 
T. was under the awakening influence of the 
Spirit of God. The next morning I went to her 
own house to inquire after her. No longer 
now disposed to shun me, she came down stairs 
bitterly weeping, because she had so long and 
grievously sinned against God. " Every word," 
said she, "that you addressed to me yesterday 
went to my heart, though I could not see you 
and such an impression was thereby made upon 
my mind, as I could not shake off." Finding 
that she was now of a broken and a contrite 
spirit, I offered her Christ as a present Saviour , 
and she was soon enabled to believe with her heart 
anto righteousness, and rejoice in the God of 
her salvation. She now says in her letter — 



244 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

" I feel I am a sinner saved by grace ; and my 
prayer is, that I may be kept faithful, till my 
heavenly Father shall gather me home. While 
memory lasts, I hope never to forget the first 
interview I had with you. O how sweet the 
recollection of that happy morning when I first 
felt the Saviour's pardoning blood applied ! " 

Nov. lUh. For several weeks past I have 
been confined at home by rheumatism, and 
have been chiefly employed in writing letters. 
Though laboring under much pain and weak- 
ness, I have lately written eleven letters to dif- 
ferent friends, and have found it a sweet occu- 
pation of my time from day to day. At times 
I am so feeble that I seem ready to sink into 
the dust ; but just now while I was thinking on 
the poor condition of my shattered frame, sud- 
denly the thought occurred, " Yet Jesus deigns 
to dwell in it." I was struck with wonder and 
amazement at such infinite condescension, to 
think that the God of heaven should dwell in 
such a mean house of clay. While I was thus 
indulging a moment's reflection, these words 
were applied : " Ye are the temple of the 
living God." O what a lift did this give my 
faith ; and what a heavenly intercourse did it 
open between God and my soul ! 

2Uh. I have just sent off a packet of letters 
to Mousehole: may the blessing of God ac- 
company them, and render them useful ! One 
day, while I was contemplating the riches of 
divine grace, and the greatness of that salvation 
which Christ has purchased for sinners, this 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 245 

passage was brought to my mind with ancom- 
mon life and power : " Wherefore He is able to 
save unto the uttermost them that come unto 
God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make in- 
tercession for them." I cannot describe what I 
felt when I attempted to fathom the meaning of 
the word " uttermost." Surely, thought I, it 
must at least include salvation from all sin. 
And when I thought on these words, "evei 
liveth to make intercession for them," I saw 
enough in them to make my very heart leap foi 
joy. how did this endear the priesthood of 
Christ to my soul ! Nor did I ever feel I need- 
ed the intercession of Christ more than at the 
present moment. Such is the sight and sense 
which I have of my manifold weaknesses and 
little returns of gratitude to the Author of all 
my mercies, that I feel I have no footing but in 
the cross of Christ. But this is the mystery of 
faith, that while I have on one hand a painful 
consciousness of my deserts as a sinner, I have 
on the other, at the same moment, " boldness to 
enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." 
" Blessed is the man to whom the Lord im- 
puteth not sin." I thank God, through Jesus 
Christ, he is "the Way, the Truth, and the 
Life." We must ever bear in mind, that we 
can only be saved unto the uttermost while we 
come unto God by him." 
[Dec. 10th. Under this date he wrote to a 
class-leader at Mousehole. The following is 
an extract of the letter: — "When I removed 
from you, and my other dear friends, at happy, 



246 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

happy Mousehole, I was like one brought into 
a different atmosphere. I then heard but little 
of Jesus Christ, and his wondrous doings for 
poor sinners. O that our people ' felt more of 
the power of religion, and were better acquaint- 
ed with the nature of living gospel faith ! Many 
of those who are most sincere do not under- 
stand the appropriating act of faith. There 
are some remarks in Mr. Fletcher's letter to 
Mr. Vaughan, which have been rendered a 
great blessing to me and to many others. He 
says, — ' Fight the good fight of faith ; break 
through all temptations, dejections, wanderings, 
worldly thoughts, through all unprofitable com- 
panions, and the backwardness of an unbeliev- 
ing heart and carnal mind : struggle, I say, till 
you touch Jesus, and feel healing, comforting 
virtue proceeding from him ; and when you 
know clearly the way to him, repeat the touch 
till you find he lives in you by the powerful 
operation of his loving Spirit. Then you will 
say with St. Paul, " I live, yet not I, but Christ 
/iveth in me." I rejoice that you inquire where 
Christ maketh his flock to rest at noon ; the rest 
from the guilt and power of sin you will find only 
in inward holiness : and this I apprehend to con- 
sist in what St. Paul calls " the kingdom of God ;" 
"righteousness," which excludes all guilt; "peace," 
which banishes all fear that hath torment ; and 
"joy," which can no more subsist with doubts, 
anxiety, and unstableness of mind, than light 
can subsist with darkness. That there is a state, 
wherein this kingdom is set up, firmly set ap iii 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 247 

the heart, you may see from our Lord's sermon 
on the mount; by his priestly prayer in St. 
John ; by the epistles of that apostle, and by 
various parts of the epistles of St. Paul and St. 
James. To aim aright at this liberty of the 
children of God requires a continual acting of 
faith ; of a naked faith, independent of all feel- 
ings, in a naked promise ; such as, " The Son 
of God was manifested that he might destroy 
the works of the devil ;" " The law of the Spirit 
of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from 
the law of sin and death ;" " I can do all things 
through Christ, who strengthened me." By a 
naked faith in a naked promise, I do not mean 
a bare assent that God is faithful, and that such 
a promise in the book of God may be fulfilled to 
me ; but a bold, hearty, steady venturing of my 
soul, body, and spirit upon the truth of the pro- 
mise, with an appropriating act : " It is mine, 
because I am a sinner, and am determined to 
believe, come what will." Here you must shut 
the eye of carnal reason, and stop the ear of the 
mind to the reasonings of the serpent; which, 
were you to listen to him, would be endless, 
and would soon draw you out of the simple 
vray of faith, by which you are both justified 
and sanctified. You must also remember, that 
it is your privilege to go to Christ by such a 
faith now, and every succeeding moment ; and 
that you are to bring nothing but a careless, dis- 
tracted, tossed, hardened heart — -just such a one 
as you have now. Here lies the grand mis- 
take of many poor, miserable, but precious. 



248 MEMOIR OP CABVOSSO. 

souls — they are afraid to believe, lest it should 
be presumption ; because they have not yet com- 
fort, joy, love, etc. ; not considering that this is 
to look for the fruit before the tree is planted. 
Beware, then, of looking for any grace previous 
to believing.' Now, my brother, you have here 
my thoughts upon this subject ; this self-despe- 
rate, appropriating act of faith, which Mr- 
Fletcher and Mr. Wesley wrote so largely 
upon. For my part, I think I shall never suf- 
ficiently praise God for putting their Works 
into my hands. That Mr. Wesley's views 
were exactly the same as Mr. Fletcher's, is 
plain from this verse of one of his hymns : — 

4 In hope against all human hope, 
Self-desperate I believe ; 
Thy quick'ning word shall raise me up, 
Thou shalt the Spirit give.' 

It must be acknowledged, this language is 
strong; and I know it has frightened many, 
perhaps, sincere penitents ; but it is no more 
than what is included in the word ' believing ;' 
and is the direct and simple way to pardon and 
purity." 

[22c?. Under this date my father wrote, in 
answer to a letter which he had received from 
a highly respected friend and brother at Mouse- 
hole ; in which, after giving him a pleasing 
account of the further advancement of the work 
of God in the society, mention is made of the 
remarkable circumstance of a pious and aged 
member having very confidently asserted that 
one evening, while worshiping in the chapel, 



MEMOIB OP CARVOSSC, 249 

he heard supernatural music of the most me- 
lodious kind, proceeding, as he thought, from 
that part of the leaders' pew which was so long 
and so regularly occupied by those two extra- 
ordinary men of God, Benedict Carvosso and 
Richard Trewavas, sen. This was a fact which 
highly accorded with my father's strong views 
of invisible realities, as will be perceived by 
the use he makes of it in the following extract 
from his letter : — 

[" I had a blessed time last night while plead- 
ing with the Lord for those who yet remain un- 
converted among you at Mousehole. I felt 
such love for them, that I could not give up till 
my heart dissolved with compassion, and my 
eyes overflowed with tears. Such a love to 
them I never felt before, nor can language de- 
scribe it ; but I thought of Jesus weeping over 
Jerusalem. I seemed to be carried away till I 
was found among you, with Jesus in the midst 
of us. O what a glorious visitation has Mouse- 
hole lately had ! I do not wonder at what you 
mention about friend R. having heard heavenly 
music ; for our Lord tell us, ' There is joy in 
the presence of the angels of God over one sin- 
ner that repenteth.' Now, I have thought, if 
there be joy among the angels on account of one 
sinner's repentance, what must be their joy over 
the two hundred whose conversion you have 
witnessed during the last few months. St. Paul, 
speaking on this head, says, ' Are they not all 
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for 
them who shall be heirs of salvation?' And, at 



250 MEMOIR OF CAEVOSSO. 

the birth of Christ these heavenly messengers 
were employed : ' And the angel said, Fear not, 
for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, 
which shall be unto all people. And suddenly 
there was with the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host, praising God,' etc. In further 
confirmation of this doctrine, I may add what is 
said of the death of Lazarus : ' And it came tc 
pass that the beggar died, and was carried by 
the angels to Abraham's bosom.' 

[" I remember, about fifty years back, I heard 
something myself of the same nature as what 
friend R. mentions. I allude to Jane Hosking, 
who died at Trungle. She expired in my bro 
ther's arms, saying to him as her last words, 
4 They are come, they are come !' and died in a 
moment. I was in the adjoining field at the 
time, and just at that instant I heard the most 
delightful singing in the air I ever heard in my 
life. O what a wonderful sight does your society 
now present; and what an overthrow^ has Satan's 
kingdom had in the last eight or nine months ! 
A great many of these precious souls, who have 
now joined God's people, spent last Christmas 
in ' rioting and drunkenness, chambering and 
wantonness, strife and envying;' but now they 
can say with the poet, from happy, heartfelt 
experience, — 

' Suffice that, for the season past, 

Hell's horrid language filTd our tongues 
We all thy words behind us cast, 

And lewdly sung the drunkard's songs 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 251 

But, O the power of grace divine ! 

In hymns we now our voices raise ; 
Loudly in strange hosannahs join, 

And blasphemies are turn'd to praise.' "] 



CHAPTER VIL 

Jan bth, 1829. The following is an extract 
from a letter just received from one of the 
young converts at Mousehole. He is a young 
man m whom there is pleasing promise of fu- 
ture usefulness. " Shortly after I obtained mer- 
cy by raith in Christ Jesus," he observes, " I 
discovered the need of a still deeper work of 
grace in my soul. I felt the carnal mind was 
not destroyed : my heart seemed full of evil ; 
' a cage of every unclean bird;' and often it 
betrayed me into bondage. But, with David, I 
earnestly cried, ' Create in me a clean heart, 
God !' I longed to have all my inward enemies 
destroyed, and to be fully renewed in the image 
of my Saviour. And, glory, glory be to God : 
on Sunday morning, the 7th of September last 
while engaged with the Lord in secret, plead- 
ing the promises of sanctification, I felt faitlr 
suddenly spring up in my heart ; my soul wa. 
abundantly blessed, and I was enabled to be 
lieve the work was done ; yet was my faith no 
so strong as I could wisli ; I want a more pow- 
erful witness. I rose from my knees, and went 



252 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

to my class meeting fully resolved to tell what 
God had done for my soul; and, glory be to 
his holy name, I was not long there before I 
was so completely overwhelmed by the divine 
presence and joy, that, for awhile, I was de- 
prived of the power of speech or motion. Trul) 
it was the 

* Speechless awe that dares not move, 
And all the silent heaven of love,' 

Since that period, blessed be God, the enemy 
has not been able to prevail, for one moment, to 
shake my confidence in that blood which cleans- 
eth from all sin." 

March 21st After being confined at home 
by feebleness and pain for some months, I paid 
a visit to my dear friends at Ponsanooth ; and 
was happy to find the work of God in such a 
prosperous state among them. By Mr. Lowry's 
kind and pressing request I went to Gwennap, 
where the good work is also advancing. I 
lodged at Mr. J. Mitchell's, and was most kindly 
received by him and his excellent family ; among 
whom, I trust, my humble efforts were not wholly 
in vain. Some appeared to receive the seed 
into good ground ; may it be manifest in the last 
day that the good impressions were ripened unto 
perfection ! 

22 d. I have now entered my eightieth year. 
O the mercies of God still richly displayed 
iowara Tie ; all flowing through the kind in- 
tercession of my Advocate at God's right hand ! 

<% a£y dying Saviour and my God ! 
Fountain for guilt and sin f 



MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 253 

Sprinkle me ever with thy blood, 
And cleanse and keep me clean." 

I am conscious I can form no language of my 
own adequate to this to express my views, and 
thoughts, and feelings, respecting the atonement. 
This is a favorite hymn of mine, and has often 
proved a blessing to my soul. I have many 
L'mes thought, that did I possess the talents of 
Mr. Wesley, I should preach and write just as 
he did. My views of the salvation of the gos- 
pel, and of the atonement, correspond exactly 
with his. May I live this year, which I have 
entered in so heavenly a frame of mind, more 
to the glory of God than any former year of 
my life ! 

June 28th. I am now returned from a tour 
of eleven weeks, during which I have visited 
the societies at Mousehole, Penzance, Helston, 
Mullion, &c. It rejoiced my heart to find the 
young converts standing so well at Mousehole 
Many had been added in my absence, and seve- 
ral more souls were gathering in all the time I 
was with them. On the day I left, I had the 
pleasure of seeing three converted to God. One 
of the conversions, which I witnessed while I 
was there, was such an instance of the mercy 
and power of God, to save unto the uttermost, 
as I have scarcely ever met with. On the pre- 
ceding day, which was the sabbath, he was in a 
state of continued intoxication. When his wife 
returned from the chapel in the evening, where 
she had received her quarterly ticket from the 
preacher, not finding him in his own house, she 



254 MEMOIR OF OARVOSSO. 

sought him elsewhere, and found him drunk at 
a public house. Seeing him in such a place, 
and in such a state, on the Lord's day, she could 
not forbear talking faithfully to him on the great 
impropriety and sinfulness of his conduct. How- 
ever ill-timed this might appear to some, it was 
a word in season to him ; for it pleased God to 
fasten the reproof on his conscience. And so 
powerfully did the Spirit of God arrest him, 
that, to the astonishment of all who beheld him, 
the fumes of the intoxicating liquor, which he 
had drunk so plentifully, left him entirely in a 
few minutes. His mind was now awake to the 
evil of drunkenness, and he said to the person 
who kept the inn, that so long as he lived he 
would taste no more strong liquor. He returned 
home in an agony of mind ; and his wife told 
me he never slept a moment during the night. 
Early in the morning I received a message re- 
questing me to visit him. I found him in deep 
anguish of soul, bewailing his manifold and 
great sins against his God. After conversing 
with him for some time, I advised him to go 
into his chamber, and again pour out his soul 
to the God of mercy in secret prayer. After 
a short time I went to his house again, and 
desired his wife to call him out of his rcom, as 
I wished to pray with him. The load of his 
guilt was overwhelming ; but I was conscious, 
if I could only get him to look to the atonement, 
Lis sins would be no barrier to his justification. 
When I had directed him to look to that suffer- 
ing Saviour who had borne his sins in his own 






MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 255 

body on the tree, we fell on our knees ; and 
while I was engaged in fervent and mighty 
prayer in his behalf, the Lord turned his dark- 
ness into light, and his hell to heaven. He 
now stretched out his hands heavenward, and 
cried out, 

" I'll praise my Maker while I've breath !" 

He has since held on his way steadily and joy- 
fully, and is a wonder unto many, May God 
grant that I may at last meet him and his dear 
wife, — to whom the Lord was pleased also to 
make me useful, — safe lodged among the jewels 
of the kingdom above ! 

Another interesting and rather remarkable 
conversion occurred, in which, I think, the short- 
sightedness of Satan is very clear. One of the 
members of the society being forbidden by her 
husband, in a very peremptory manner, to at- 
tend class meeting that day, she meekly sub- 
mitted, and retired to her chamber to spend the 
time in prayer. Without being aware that her 
unkind and ungodly husband was within hear- 
ing, she was drawn to pour out her soul to God 
very earnestly in his behalf. This was more 
than even his hard heart could bear ; it touched 
a tender string, and the Lord fastened it as a 
nail in a sure place. He became thoroughly 
and deeply awakened to his lost estate ; and sc 
overwhelmed was he with a sense of his misery, 
that his son came to me with great speed, re- 
questing that I would go with him, because 
"father wa? so distressed about his soul, he 



&56 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

was not able to go to sea." I went to him, and 
talked to him, and prayed with him for about 
two hours, till my bodily strength was quite 
spent out; and I was obliged to retire to a 
friend's house and He down to take a little rest. 
When I awoke from a short sleep, these words 
came with light and power, " The blood of Je- 
sus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 
Knowing for what purpose they were given, I 
replied in a moment, " This will do ;" and in- 
stantly putting on the part of my dress which I 
had laid aside, I hastened to the house of the 
penitent. He was still on his knees. I told 
him I had a proper discharge for him from the 
King himself; and put him to read the words 
with his own eyes. God applied to his broken 
heart the healing balm contained in this precious 
portion of his word; and the contrite sinner, 
believing with all his heart, and lifting up his 
hands and eyes to heaven, cried out, " Glory be 
to God, Jesus hath died for me !" He afterward 
said to me, " I have never entered the chapel 
doors these twelve years : and forty -four years 
have I lived in the world, and knew nothing of 
my God till this day." Now I think Satan did 
not show much of the serpent in hindering the 
woman from going to the class meeting, since 
he could not foresee that that circumstance 
would occasion the loss of one of his most faith- 
ful servants. 

July 17th. In the following remark there ib 
much that is worthy of observation by those 
who wish to walk with God : " Without recol- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 257 

lection God's voice cannot be heard in the soul 
It is the altar on which we must offer up oui 
own will. It is instrumentally a ladder to as- 
cend unto God. By it the soul gets to its 
centre, out of which it cannot rest. Man's soul 
is the temple of God ; recollection, the holy of 
holies. As the wicked, by recollection, find hell 
within their hearts, so faithful souls find heaven. 
Without recollection all means of grace are 
useless, or make but a light and transient im- 
pression." 

Aug. 15th. I bless God, all is calm again : I 
feel a heavenly sweetness — peace, joy, and love 
— springing up within my soul. But I have 
lately had some sharp conflicts with myself and 
with the adversary of my peace. what a 
necessity do I still find of using self-denial! 
More and more I see self must be mortified. 
But I have again proved by experience, that it 
is faith, and faith alone, which brings certain 
victory over self and sin. What a blessed union 
with Jesus do I sometimes feel in the night- 
season, while all are sleeping around me ! The 
night-watches are favorable to meditation; no 
earthly object to draw away the attention. 

[The following is an extract from a letter 
without date, which was evidently written about 
this time. It was addressed to a respectable 
young female, for whose salvation it is manifest 
he felt a deep solicitude ; and shows the manner 
in which he was accustomed to follow up the 
impressions that he had made, when he had 
reason to fear they were too slight, or not duly 
17 






258 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

attended to. I introduce it also in the hope that 
it will be read with profit by some of the many 
who felt the force of his thrilling appeals and 
reproofs in personal conversatipn, but are yet 
making no adequate preparation for the awful 
day, which he, in this letter, brings before us so 
mpressively. 

["My Dear Miss, — I cannot account for it, 
how I should feel such a concern for your im- 
mortal, never-dying soul, but so it is : and by it 
I am now constrained to write to you. I thank 
you for your very kind remembrance of me : if 
is a proof that you have not forgotten me ; nor, 
I trust, the conversation I had with you in the 
parlor the last time I saw you, when the Spirit 
of the Lord strove with you in a most powerful 
manner. I sometimes think I hear your sob- 
bings, and see your tears : they will never be 
forgotten by me, nor by you either, I hope ; for I 
am sure they cannot be forgotten before God. 
You know that you then promised me you would 
give him your heart : whether you have done it 
or not, is best known to himself, and to your 
own soul. I was just thinking, my dear Miss 

, what are all the pleasures, riches, and 

honors of this world compared to the soul ? Or, 
as our Lord says, ' What shall it profit a man, 
if he gain the whole world and lose his owe 
soul ?' If we had had no Bible, and had never 
heard the gospel, we might make some excuse 
But born and brought up, as you have been, m 
the midst of gospel-day, you can make none 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 259 

Then, i how shall we escape if we neglect so 
great salvation?' I wish you to bear in mind 
that that same Jesus, who poured out his blood 
on the cross to make an atonement for your sins, 
will come again, 'in flaming fire, taking ven- 
geance on them that know not God, and that 
obey not the gospel o f our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
who shall be punished with everlasting destruc- 
tion from the presence of the Lord, and from 
the glory of his power.' 2 Thess. i, 7-9. 
my dear Nanny, how awful, how striking, and 
yet how true ! This is the word of God, and 
not the word of man. And if you read your 
Bible, you will find that the prophets, as well 
as the apostles, speak of this awful day. Daniel 
speaks of it in a very striking manner : ' I be- 
held till the thrones were cast down, and the 
Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was 
white as snow, and the hair of his head like the 
pure wool : his throne was like the fiery flame, 
and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream 
issued and came forth from before him : thou- 
sand thousands ministered unto him, and ten 
thousand times ten thousand stood before him : 
the judgment was set, and the books were open- 
ed.' Dan. vii, 9, 10. Compare these portions 
of God's word with the twentieth chapter of 
Revelation, from the eleventh to the fifteenth 
verse. There you will see what are St. John's 
views also of this awful subject : ' I saw a great 
white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose 
face the earth and the heaven fled away ; and 
Uiere was no place found for them.' Mark what 









260 MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 

follows ! — ' And I saw the dead, small and great, 
stand before God;' (and you and I must be 
there ;) ' and the books were opened ; and an- 
other book was opened, which was the book of 
life: and the dead were judged out of those 
things which were written in the books, accord- 
ing to their works.' This, you know, will be 
an awful scene ; but what is more awful is yet 
to come : ' And the sea gave up the dead which 
were in it ; and death and hell delivered up the 
dead which were in them. And whosoever was 
not found written in the book of life was cast 

•nto the lake of fire/ my dear Miss , I 

tfish to speak plainly to you, — -this must be the 
portion of every soul that does not repent; 
3very one who lives and dies in his sins. God 
declares, ' The wicked shall be turned into hell, 
with all the nations that forget God.' Psalm 
ix, 17. Read also the last chapter of the 
Second Epistle of St. Peter. 

[" I hope you will not think I am wanting in 
respect to you because I have laid before you 
these awful truths. If you knew the love which 
I have to your soul, you could not entertain a 
thought of the kind. At any rate, you know 
you have been twice unexpectedly, but I have 
no doubt providentially, thrown in my way; 
and on both occasions, while J was talking with 
you, but especially the last, you were deeply 
affected, and promised me, in the presence of 
God, that you would be his : and now the love 
of Christ constrains me to write, to remind you 
of your vows and promises, otherwise I could 



MEMOIR OF CABT0880. 261 

not be clear in my own mind. It is my fervent 
prayer that God would make this letter a lasting 
blessing to your soul ; read it in your closet, 
and pray earnestly over it, and then send me a 
few lines in answer. If you felt so much love 
for your own soul, as I do for it, you would at 
once cheerfully give up all for Christ, and 
quickly be happy in him. I now commend you 
to God, praying that the Holy Spirit may seal 
the truth upon your heart !"] 

Oct 17 tk, For some time past I have been 
very busy in writing letters to friends in various 
places. I received a packet containing nine, 
from various persons at Mevagissey, every one 
requiring an answer. These various requests 
I have fulfilled ; and I have sent twelve more 
to Mousehole and other places. O that all the 
precious souls whom I have addressed may find 
their way to heaven ! 

[28th. An extract from a letter addressed 
to a class-leader :— 

[" My Dear Brother, — I wish to know how 
you and your little flock are getting on; and 
whether any have strayed from the fold or not 
6 in a dark cloudy day.' I trust none of them 
are lost by your fault or negligence. My prayer 
is, that all your members may be more and 
more united in love to one another, and that 
they may grow up in Christ, their living Head, 
in all things. O that the Lord would make 
them fruitful branches in the heavenly vine 






262 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

In reading God's most holy word, I have- been 
struck with the tender love and compassion 
St. Paul manifested toward those who had sus- 
tained a loss in their souls : ' Brethren, if any 
of you be overtaken in a fault, ye which are 
spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meek- 
ness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempt* 
ed.' Again, addressing himself to those who 
had been unfaithful, he says, ' My little children, 
of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be 
formed in you.' To the same effect he else- 
where says, ' Bear ye one another's burdens, 
and so fulfill the law of Christ.' On another 
occasion we read, that when he had called the 
elders of a certain church together, he gav<* 
them a particular charge, saying, * Feed the 
church of God which he hath purchased with 
iiis own blood.' A dear rate this ! And I am 
ertain we ought to take very great care of that 
rhich is bought at so high a price. Before 
Tesus, the chief Shepherd, left this lower world, 
*ie gave to Peter a strict charge respecting the 
dock, saying, ' Feed my lambs.' You will ob- 
serve, my brother, he calls them, ' my lambs ;' 
his own blood-bought property. I have often 
observed, he first mentions the lambs, because 
lie well knew they would require much care 
^nd nursing. But he gave him also a particular 
charge respecting the sheep, twice saying to 
him, ' Feed my sheep.' May the Lord endue 
you, my respected friend, with all that heavenly 
wisdom, grace, and understanding, necessary 
for you to conduct your little flock in safety to 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSBO. 263 

the care of the great Shepherd and Bishop of 
"ouls above. In due time you shall reap, if 
rou faint not. 

[" And now, my brother, I would ask, How does 
your faith stand ? Are you like Abraham, strong 
in faith, giving glory to God ? Without this you 
will do but little when surrounded by the powers 
of darkness. It is the shield of faith alone 
which shall quench all the fiery darts of the 
wicked. But we must remember, too, to take 
the sword of the Spirit with us, which is the 
word of God ; otherwise our faith will soon fail 
us. It is the promise of God which whets the 
edge of our faith ; and all the promises are yea 
and amen to them that believe. ' Fear thou 
not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I 
am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will 
help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee by the righ' 
hand of my righteousness.' Now, my deai 
brother, I would ask you whether a few such pro- 
mises as this will not set a good edge to your faith. 

4 Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, 
And looks to that alone.' "] 

Nov. 9tk. For several days past my soul 
has been earnestly longing for a more clear and 
inward testimony of the Spirit. I pleaded hard 
with the Lord for it ; and, glory be to his holy 
name, he granted me the desire of my heart, 
by applying these words, " I have loved thee 
with an everlasting love." This was a word in 
season. 

Dec. 21st. I am now again mercifully re- 



264 MEMOIB OF CABYOSSO. 

stored, after being confined to bed for several 
weeks by reason of a wound in my leg. Blessed 
be God ! this affliction has been sanctified to 
the good of my soul. One day, reflecting upon 
my state as the prisoner of the Lord, it was 
suddenly suggested, " Jesus is in the prison with 
thee." My heart leaped for joy, and my eyes 
overflowed with tears of gratitude at thi thought 
of such infinite condescension. I thought of 
the three Hebrew children ; how the Son of 
God was with them in the midst of the flames, 
and preserved them unhurt. " Who is a God 
like unto our God?" "When thou passest 
through the fire," says he, " thou shalt not be 
burned, neither shall the flames kindle upon 
thee." I have since had many plunges into 
the glorious fullness of Deity, which have 
greatly encouraged and strengthened my faith. 
Just before this took place, every grace was 
tried from a particular quarter, on which the 
enemy had not been accustomed to attack me. 
But, blessed be the Holy One of Israel, I can 
now triumph in victory over all my enemies. 

Jan. Wih. 1830. I have begun this year 
with a fixed determination to live for God 
alone ; nothing besides is worth a thought. As 
I have been much confined at home this winter, 
my time has been chiefly occupied in writing to 
my different Christian friends, from Saltash to 
nearly the Land's End. 

lith. This morning, while turning my 
thoughts and attention to myself and my circum 
stances, — being generally much confined from 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 265 

the public means of grace by indisposition and 
the infirmities of age, — it was instantly applied 
to my mind, as if one had spoken to me, " Thou 
must new learn to feed upon Christ in thy 
heart by faith." In a moment I saw more 
clearly than ever before, that every believer's 
heart is the temple of God, and that he has pro- 
mised to dwell and walk therein. O the bless- 
edness arising from such a reflection ! Christ 
in me the hope of glory ! That he should 
dwell in my worthless heart ! O how this en- 
dears to me the name of Jesus ! How it lifts 
up my faith, and yet humbles my soul into the 
dust before him ! 

March 5th. Within the last few weeks I 
have written nearly twenty letters, chiefly on 
the subject of entire sanctification. Deprived 
as I am of the pleasure of visiting my dear 
friends, I have found it very good to write to 
them. The Lord knows my motives in this 
employment ;— I aim at the good of their souls ; 
and to me it is just the same as if I had been 
praying and conversing with them. In all my 
pilgrimage I have never known so many clear 
testimonies of the power of God to save from all 
sin, as I have of late. Surely it may be said 
that knowledge is increasing; — the knowledge 
rf believing with the heart unto righteousness. 
Three letters that I have just now received bear 
testimony to the truth of this. 

llth. My birthday. This is a day to which 
I have long looked forward; and often felt an 
earnest desire to see it. As I was born in the 



266 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

year 1750, I am now beyond fourscore. I 
thank God for giving me to behold this day; 
and I earnestly pray that the blessed end may 
be answered for which I am spared to see old 
age. Blessed be God, I can say at present, I 
am happy. Christ is more precious to my soul 
than all the world besides. for ten thousand 
thousand tongues to praise my God, my Savioui 
and the blessed Spirit ! 

" To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
Who sweetly all agree 
To save a world of sinners lost, 
Eternal glory be." 

In singing over this verse in past years, which 
is now nearly lost sight of, I have often, with 
pleasure and profit to my mind, contemplated 
the mystery of redemption, in which Father, 
Son, and Spirit sweetly agree to save a ruined 
world. At present, gratitude is the language 
of my heart as well as my tongue ; and it is 
easy for me to sing and rejoice. It is, how- 
ever, not always so with me ; not long since it 
was quite otherwise : I had head-winds and 
rough seas to beat through, in order to gain 
the port; but now, glory, glory be to God! I 
have fair wind and smooth water. My harp is 
in tune ; and, 

" Of Him, who did salvation bring, 
I could for ever think and sing." 

July 3c?. Still confined at home on account 
of lameness and pain. But this day I have re- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 267 

ceived a very powerful manifestation of the 
Spirit of God, for which I cannot sufficiently 
praise him. The blessed effects of this gracious 
visit I sensibly feel at this moment while I 
write. It puts to flight all the armies of the 
aliens, and greatly brightens my prospects of 
future glory. how infinitely do I fall short 
in gratitude to the Author of my mercies ! 

August 3d. Glory be to thy holy name, O 
thou most high God ! Thou hast now accom- 
plished and fulfilled the promise concerning my 
son Benjamin, given me more than ten yea~3 
ago, when I felt reluctant to give him up to go 
out as a foreign missionary ; thou then re- 
provedst me, and saidst, " I gave my Son to 
die for thee, and canst thou not give up thy son 
to go an errand for me? I will bring him 
again to thee." And, glory, glory be to thy 
adorable name ! thou hast brought him back 
again, and his dear wife and children also, in 
safety, in health, and in peace. For these 
mercies, eternal praises be ascribed to thee, 
my God ! And now, as thy presence was with 
him to give him favor and to prosper him in 
distant lands, so do thou grant, Lord, that 
thy presence and blessing may still accompany 
him and his ministry, wherever thy kind Provi* 
Jenct shall, in future, direct his steps ! Amen 
and amen. 

[10M. The following letter containing some 
important remarks on a subject too much neg- 
lected in the church of Christ, was addressed 
to an excellent young man, a class-leader, for 



268 MEMOIE OF CABVOSSO. 

whom, and for the souls committed to his cars, 
the writer felt a strong regard i — 

[" My Dear Joseph,- — Soul-work is impoit 
ant work. You have now three classes com- 
mitted to your care. To attend properly to 
these and your prayer meetings you have 
enough to do ; too much, I fear, for your con- 
stitution. As to prayer meetings, I always 
considered it a duty incumbent on me as a 
leader regularly to attend upon them. It was 
there I had an opportunity of discovering who 
in my classes were in earnest, and who were 
not; and to inquire of those absent, what was 
the reason they did not attend this means of 
grace. You know, if the outward means are 
neglected, our souls cannot prosper. With re- 
spect to visiting from house to house ; when you 
were first fixed as a leader, I know it was your 
meat and drink to do it ; for the salvation of 
their souls lay near your heart. If they dis- 
cover less diligence and love manifested toward 
them in this respect, it is apt to discourage them, 
and lessen their esteem for their leader. You 
will bear, I hope, with my plain dealing. It 
is because I love you that I speak thus. I'wish 
you to look well to those precious souls put 
under your care ; that, in the great day, when 
you will be called to give an account of your 
stewardship, you may be enabled to say, * Here 
am I, Lord, and those committed to my care ; 
not one of them is wanting.' 



MEMOIB OP CARVOSSO 269 

[" I am glad to hear the young men stand so 
well ; and I pray that the Lord may make 
them abundantly more useful than ever! But 
I sorrow to find so many of the young females 
giving their company to young men who are 
carnal and without religion. This, you know, 
my dear Joseph, is quite opposed to the word 
of God. He commands us to ' be not unequally 
yoked together with unbelievers. For what 
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous- 
ness ? and what communion hath light with 
darkness ? and what concord hath Christ with 
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth 
with an infidel ? and what agreement hath the 
temple of God with idols ? As God hath said, 
I will dwell in them, and walk in -them: and 
I will be their God, and they shall be my peo- 
ple. Wherefore, come out from among them, 
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,' &c. 2 Cor. 
vi, 14-18. ' Saith the Lord,' not man. Awful, 
indeed, to reflect upon it, — whoever breaks this 
command ! But who lays this to heart ? Not 
those who marry out of the Lord, or with un- 
believers ; because God himself has forbidden 
it. Have you, my dear brother, explained to 
the young people who meet in your classes 
the awful consequences of breaking this com- 
mand of God ? You see it is as much forbidden 
by him as any other sin. To plead the com- 
monness of it will noways do away the evil 
of it. For instance, suppose we see men rolling 
in the streets in drunkenness from day to day ; 



270 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSG. 

3hall we say, ' Drunkenness is no sin ?' God 
forbid ! It is forbidden by God ; that is enough 
to satisfy me. 

[" If I were to relate to you, my brother, the 
many awful circumstances which I have seen 
to attend these unhappy marriages, it would 
make you tremble. Some time back a young 
man, a Methodist, came to me to ask my ad- 
vice on this head. He was at that time very 
promising for usefulness in the church of God. 
I earnestly entreated him, if he had any love 
for his own soul, or the cause of God, to have 
nothing to do with the young woman he men- 
tioned, because she was not a professor of re- 
ligion. I told him he would be ruined if he 
did ; and that his conduct would be such a stab 
to the cause of God in that place as he would 
never be able to make satisfaction for. All 
this did not avail ; — he soon got married. He 
invited me to call to see him. I did so ; and 
his wife said to him in my presence, looking 
him stark in his face and calling him by name, 
'James, I will never be a Methodist/ It was 
like as if a sword pierced my heart. He thought, 
like many others, that when he got married he 
was going to do great things ; but he found he 
was quite mistaken. He soon gave up his pro- 
fession, and became a drunkard, a swearer, and 
a sabbath-breaker; and a most wretched kind 
of living they have had ever since. I hope you 
will for ever set your face against this sin, and 
do all you can to prevent it. At least I wish 
you to clear your own soul of their blood, tliat 



MEMOIR OF CARVO&SO. 271 

you may meet them all with boldness in the 
day of judgment, if their souls should be lost by 
this dreadful evil which is got in among us. 
My dear brother, methinks I could on this ac- 
count say with Jeremiah, ' O that my head were 
waters, and mine eyes fountains of tears, that I 
might weep day and night for the slain of the 
daughter of my people !' It will require a 
great deal of that wisdom which is from above, 
to train up souls for heaven. The great Shep- 
herd of the sheep himself gave Peter a strict 
charge to feed his lambs ; and St. Paul likewise 
exhorted the ' overseers,' perhaps such as leaders 
are now, to 'feed the church of God which he 
hath purchased with his own blood.' I have suf- 
fered a great deal of pain while I have been 
writing this letter to you. I can now rest but 
little at night from a violent pain in my left 
thigh. I often think I am in the hands of a very 
skillful Physician, who is too wise to err. and 
too good to be unkind."] 

Jan. , 1831. Several months have now elap* 
ed since I set down anything in my journal 
During this time I have received many bles> a 
ings at the hand of God, and have passe*! 
through many inward conflicts. Day and night 
I have felt the need of crying for help unto GodL 
It is well for me that there is an open fountain, 
and that I have an Advocate above. 

March 13th. I have been spending some 
weeks at Ponsanooth. While there I had the 
pleasure of seeing the wonderful works of the 






272 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

Lord displayed in the conviction and conversion 
of many sinners. The subjects of this gracious 
work are persons of all ages. Upward 01 fifty 
have received notes of admission. l From what 
I have seen of them I have reason to think the 
greater part of them have been brought to enjoy 
justifying grace. I hope my labor among them 
was not in vain. This will be best known when 
God makes up his jewels. 

May 7th. Bless the Lord, O my soul ! He 
has spared me to commemorate another return 
of the day of my conversion. It is now sixty 
years since the blessed change took place within 
my heart. From the first day to the present 
moment I could never doubt of the reality of the 
work. What shall I render unto the Lord for 
all his mercies to such an unworthy worm ? " O 
to grace how great a debtor !" 

" Sweet is the memory of thy grace, 
My God, my heavenly King ! 
Let age to age thy righteousness 
In sounds of glory sing." 

27th I think I never felt my feeble frame 
so crushed with the infirmities of age as in the 
past week. But it is very pleasing to know, 
that while this earthly house of my tabernacle 
is dissolving, " I have a building of God, a house 
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
Glory be to God for such a knowledge as this ! 
Amen and amen. 

Aug. 29*A. At present I am led to admire 
the mysterious ways of providence and grace. 



MEMOIE CF CARVOSSO. 273 

For some considerable time I had been praying 
to the Lord that he would work a saving change 
upon a certain person, but could not obtain a 
convenient opportunity of conversing with her, 
till about five weeks ago. The result will be 
best described in her own language, from a 
letter which now lies before me. She says, " I 
lived for many years in a state of indifference 
about the salvation of my soul, till it pleased the 
Lord to lay his afflicting hand upon me. I then 
saw in part my danger as a sinner, and promised, 
if the Lord would raise me up, I would give my 
heart to him. He did raise me up, and I began 
to pray and to attend the public means of grace ; 
but no one taking me by the hand to lead me 
further, I rested in the form without the power. 
Having a knowledge of your character, I often 
felt a longing desire to converse with you, but 
never had an opportunity of opening my mind 
to you till the 25th of July, when I met with 
you quite unexpectedly. You then told me the 
desire you had long felt to converse with me, and 
asked me if I was happy. I said I was not. You 
then inquired if I prayed : and when I told you 
I did, you showed me I wanted faith to receive 
the blessings of the gospel, and invited me to 
attend the class meeting. I went accordingly, 
and was much affected, especially by the first 
nymn you gave out : — 

* Come, Saviour Jems, from above. 

Assist me with thy heavenly grace , 
Empty my heart of earthly love, 
And for thyself prepare the place.' 
18 



274 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

This was the prayer of my heart; and the 
meeting proved to me the most profitable I ever 
attended. But still I knew nothing of the nature 
of living faith till I came to Downstall, and had 
another conversation with you ; for which I 
think I shall have cause to bless God to all 
eternity. Blessed be his name, my guilty fears 
are now all removed, and I feel my faith daily 
strengthened ; I can love God above everything, 
and trust I shall henceforth, through grace 
strengthening me, be ever numbered with the 
humble followers of the Lord Jesus." 

[About this time the following letter was 
written, which serves further to exemplify his 
style of letter-writing, and the affectionate ear- 
nestness and striking fidelity with which he 
pursued those who professed to get good from 
his personal instructions and admonitions : — 

[" My Dear S , I hope you will, for my 

sake, take care of the letters which I write you, 
and read them over often when I am sleeping 
in the dust. Remember you are to meet me at 
the bar of God, to give an account to him of all 
the kind admonitions you have received from 
unworthy me. You know it has pleased God to 
make use of me as an instrument in his hand 
for your soul's good ; as you have often confess- 
ed amidst many tears. Since you came to 
P , God hath opened the eyes of your un- 
derstanding, and given you to see the dangerous 
state your soul was in by sinning against him. 
And although you have not that clear witness 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 275 

of the Spirit which it is your privilege to enjoy, 
yet I should not have a doubt of your salvation 
if I were called to follow you to the grave. 1 
believe whatever is lacking in you God will ac- 
complish. I have seen the tears of penitence 
running down your cheeks; and, more than 
once, your very limbs trembling under you. 
While I write these lines methinks I see you 
before me, as I have described : you know the 
truth of this. I believe you are a sincere fol- 
lower of Jesus, so far as you have heavenly 
light. continue to watch and pray, and walk 
humbly with God ! may the eternal Jehovah 
destroy all unbelief in your heart, and enable 
you more fully to understand what is meant in 
these words, ' Jesus hath loved me, and given 
himself for me !' I was never so fully convinced 
in my life as I am at this moment, that you 
ought to be as fully persuaded in your mind that 
Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the 
tree, as if there were no other sinner in all 
the world. When you read the following 
lines, be sure you hold fast what is included in 
them : — 

' Thou hast my rail ransom paid, 
And in thy wounds I rest.' 

When I first conversed with you, you little 
thought you could ever consent to go to class 
meeting. But the prejudice you then felt 
against the Methodists God has taken away ; 

and I trust, if you are spared to return to E , 

you will not be ashamed to acknowledge what 



276 MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 

the Lord has done for jour soul, to such as fear 
God. My dear S — — , there is a great danger 
here, and I wish to admonish you of itinjesus's 
own words : ' Whosoever shall confess me be- 
fore men, him will I confess before my Father 
which is in heaven/ Mind what follows : i But 
whosoever shall deny me before men, him will 
I also deny before my Father which is in hea- 
een.' Matt, x, 32, 33. Be sure you read for 
yourself, for ' we must all appear before the 
judgment-seat of Christ.' 

[" Another caution I wish to give you, which 
I consider is of the greatest importance, because 
it is God's command : ' Be not unequally yoked 
together,' &c. 2 Cor. vi, 14-18. Take your 
Bible and read the whole passage. Now I 

would just ask you, my dear S , what can 

those professors of religion expect from God 
who break such a command as this? I hope 
you, my dear child in the gospel, will never be 
guilty of it. I trust you will lay this seriously 
to heart ; and mind, it is God speaking ; not 
such a worm as man! No! It is the Lord 
Almighty. It is because of the love I feel for 
your soul, my dear child, that I write so faith- 
fully to you. I almost despair of seeing you in 
heaven if you get married to a man who has no 
religion. One good man observes, ' Their v ery 
breath is infectious.' What then must be their 
conversation, and how much more so to be mar- 
ried to such a one ? As you are clear from this 
deadly evil at present, I hope and trust you will 
ever keep clear. That the God of all grace 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 277 

may sanctify these instructions, and make them 
a blessing in time and eternity, is the sincere 
prayer of your ever loving and affectionate 
father in the gospel !"] 

Nov. 3d. For several days past Satan and 
unbelief, the two grand enemies of my soul, 
have labored hard to wrest my shield from me, 
and weaken my confidence in God. I have 
had to hang on Christ by naked faith, without 
any sensible enjoyment. But in the past night, 
while all lay sleeping around me, and my soul 
was deeply and solemnly engaged with God, he 
appeared to me in a gracious manner, and lifted 
my head above all my enemies. I was greatly 
blessed while thinking upon that remark of Lady 
Maxwell : — " I have often been enabled strong- 
ly to act faith on Jesus for sanctification even 
in the absence of all comfort ; and this has dif- 
fused a heaven of sweetness through ray soul, and 
brought with it the powerful witness for purity." 

21 st. I can truly say, with one of old, 
" Giving glory to God, I feel no guilt ; all is 
clear. I feel no sin; God hath destroyed it. 
I cannot sleep by night ; but I now think of God 
as naturally as' I used to forget him. He is 
hardly ever out of my thoughts. Christ is all 
ii all !" This morning He spoke with power 
tc my heart, in these words, " Thou shalt never 
perish, neither shall any pluck thee out of my 
hand." Before this the enemy had made his 
appearance ; but he now fled in a moment ; he 
could not withstand the sword of the Spirit. 



278 MEMOIR OF CARVTOSSO. 

July ±th, 1832. After a tour of nineteen 
weeks the Lord lias once more brought me in 
safety to my own home ; for which I praise his 
holy name. I spent seven weeks at Mousehole. 
where I had again the pleasure of seeing many 
sinners brought to God. Several penitents re- 
ceived the Spirit of adoption while I was ex 
plaining to them the way of believing in order 
to be justified ; six of them indeed before I had 
bowed my knees with them in prayer. This, 
I think, is more than I could ever say before. 

One day, as I was walking in the street, a 
person came after me in haste, and requested 
me to visit a woman who was in great distress 
of soul. When I came to her she instantly ex- 
claimed, " If I die in this state, I am lost ! 1 
am lost !" and continued repeating these words 
for some time. I asked for a Bible ; and while 
I was explaining to her the precious promises 
of the gospel, she was enabled to believe and 
rejoice in the God of her salvation. This 
woman had not attended the chapel for several 
years. 

I spent four weeks at Penzance — there also 1 
saw much good done ; indeed, there is an ex- 
traordinary work of God in almost every society 
throughout that extensive circuit. I visited 
Breage and Mullion, and was most kindly re- 
ceived by my old and dear friends. One was 
awakened, and two professed to receive the 
blessing of perfect love. I was glad to see those 
of my children who were still walking in wis- 
dom's ways; and sweet was the intercourse 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 279 

which we had with each other, while talking 
over the things of God together. 

In riding from Mullion to Mr. Hendy's at 
Polgrean, the horse on which I rode fell with 
me while going down a hill, and threw me over 
nis head ; but, by the particular providence of 
God, I was preserved unhurt. Here I rejoiced 
to meet with my dear J. F., a child in the gos- 
pel whom the Lord was pleased to give me 
about ten years ago. She is still steadfast in the 
ways of God. 

After I had visited my good friends at Hel- 
ston, I returned ; but had been home but six 
days before a conveyance from a distance of 
seven miles was sent to take me to visit a young 
man in great distress of mind, who had so far 
reasoned with the enemy of his soul as to believe 
he had committed the sin against the Holy 
Ghost. I stayed with him four days. He got 
better, and was much relieved and comforted. 
Thence I was brought to Mr. M. Box's, of Con- 
stantine ; to whom, about six years ago, the 
Lord was pleased to show his pardoning mercy, 
while I was conversing with him. He is now 
a much-respected class-leader. I stayed with him 
three days, met his class, and have some reason to 
hope that my conversation in the family was 
made a blessing to some who knew not God. 

Aug. Ath. I bless the Lord, that my last 
visit to Ponsanooth was rendered useful. A 
young man, the son of a pious mother, for whose 
salvation I had long felt an anxious concern, 
was awakened while I was conversing with him 



280 MEMOIE OP CAKVOSSO. 

about righteousness, temperance, and a judg- 
ment to come. Trembling under the arrest of 
the Spirit of conviction, he took hold of my 
hand, and said with much emotiori, " Now I will 
go to class meeting with you." The following 
Tuesday evening he came accordingly, and bold- 
ly declared what God had done for his soul. 

Sept 6th. My kind and much-respected 
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, of Mawnan, 
having often requested me to pay them a visit 
once more, I accordingly went over and spent 
a week with them. I felt, on entering the house, 
as if the Lord was about to do some good in the 
family, and told them of it ; and it soon appear- 
ed who was likely to be the subject of it. Miss 
E. F., their niece, who had been living with 
them for some years, I found in a state of dark- 
ness and despair about her soul: but she had 
not made known her grief and burden to any 
one. God was pleased to bless my conversa- 
tion to her ; and before I left I had the unspeak- 
able pleasure of seeing her made exceedingly 
happy, and also united to the people of God. 
To his name be all the praise and the glory ! 

Oct. 1st I have lately been shut out from the 
public ordinances by a cold, a cough, and short- 
ness of breath. But my time has passed away 
very comfortably in answering various letters 
which I have received from friends at Mouse- 
hole, Mevagissey, &c. Seeing that nature's ties 
are all dissolving, it affords me no small conso- 
lation to look forward to the building of God in 
the heavens, which I know is mine by the in 



MEMOIE OF CABVOSSO. 281 

ward testimony of the Spirit Yes, for thee, 
my soul for thee ! Glory be to God ! 

13th. I feel my bodily weakness increasing 
more and more ; but I bless God, he gives me 
fresh tokens of his love and approbation, to as- 
sure me that I am his. This morning, feeling 
much of the helpless worm, I wanted a stronger 
inward testimony of my sonship ; and looking 
up to my Advocate with God, these words 
sweetly flowed into my mind : 

" Before the throne my Surety stands, 
My name is written on his hands." 

This was enough ; tears of joy overflowed my 
eyes, and my heart dissolved in love. 

M Much love I ought to know, 
For I have much forgiven." 

[24th. He wrote to one who made some 
anxious inquiries in reference to the subject of 
full salvation. The following is an extract from 
the letter: — "I have read your letter, my sister, 
with the greatest attention, and clearly discover 
your holy and ardent desire after purity of heart 
As I have passed through the same feeling 
which you describe in your letter, I know where 
you are, and what you want. Suffer me to 
speak plainly to you, in order to set you right 
You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the 
power of God. I would ask, my sister, ( Can 
you find no promise in the Bible which can 
satisfy the earnest desires of your mind 7 And 
remember we have need of courage, that, when 



282 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

we read the promises, we may believe, and 
make them our own. Now theie are two of 
God's promises to which I wish to lead youi 
mind, because it pleased God to make use of 
them in order to bring my soul into that happy 
state which St. John calls ' perfect love.' Me- 
thinks I hear you say, 6 tell me, tell me where 
I shall find them !' If you will promise me to 
do as I did, I will tell you. No doubt you say, 
' I will try.' Then when you read them, O may 
the Lord increase your faith ! In order to put 
your faith in lively exercise, I wish to remind 
you that that God who caused them to be writ- 
ten for your sake, will be present with you 
when you read them, to require an act of faith 
in you. And you are to believe, not only that 
the blood which Jesus shed on the cross for you 
was sufficient to make atonement for the guilt 
of your sins, but also to cleanse you from all un- 
righteousness. Suppose I were to ask you, Do 
you believe Christ will die any more? you 
would say, ' No, I do not believe any such thing.' 
Then why not say in your heart, and from your 
heart, and with all your heart, looking stead- 
fastly to Jesus by faith, — 

* Surety, who all my debt has paid, 
For all my sins atonement made, 
The Lord my righteousness V 

[" My dear sister, we must continue to believe 
every moment in order to feel. I wish you were 
as anxious in your mind about believing as you 
are about feeling. Then I am sure God would 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSC. 288 

soon send the witness of the Spiiit into your 
heart, and enable you to say, — 

1 'Tis done ; thou dost this moment save ; 

With full salvation bless'd, 
Redemption through thy blood I have, 
And spotless love and peace.* 

["By this you may know whether you are 
St3eking the blessing by faith or by works. If 
by works, you have always something to do first 
that is, you think you must be more in earnest; 
you must pray a little more ; or, it may be, Sa- 
tan will suggest to your mind, ' You cannot be- 
lieve now, your heart is too hard.' If you listen 
to any of these things, it proves that you are 
seeking it in a way you never can find it. It is 
i not by works, lest any man should boast :' but 
if by faith, why not now ? Now is the accepted 
time with God. He commands you to believe, 
with all your heart, that Christ has died for you ; 
this is all he requires. I hope you have no ob- 
jection to be saved in God's own way. You 
want the wisdom which shows the difference 
between the witness of the Spirit and the simple 
act of faith. For want of this heavenly light, 
you are foiled by Satan and unbelief. The wit- 
ness of the Spirit is God's gift, not our act ; but 
it is given to all who act faith on Jesus, and the 
promisj made through him. God at this mo- 
ment requires an act of faith in you, while he 
holds out the promises, and saith, i A new heart 
will I give you, and a new spirit will I put 
within you ; and I will take away the stony 
heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a 



284 MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 

heart of flesh/ Ezekiel xxxvi, 26. Now here are 
the two precious promises which I referred you 
to above. I saw in them everything I wanted; 
deliverance from inbred sin, and the bestowing 
of a new nature ; though I had no man to teach 
or instruct me. From the time God showed 
me what was included in these words, I can 
truly say I never lost sight of them. I could 
desire nothing else ; I could pray for nothing 
else; but that God would cleanse my heart 
from all sin, and fill me with his love. But all 
this would not do, till I believed that Christ had 
paid all for me ; then I felt the refining fire go 
through my heart, and all within me became 
wholly sanctified to God." 

[The following extract is from a letter writ 
ten about the same time as the above : — 

[" I am rather jealous in my own mind, that 
you have not a clear and proper view of Christ 
and his atonement. I believe there are thou- 
sands of sincere souls greatly distressed on this 
account. Till I met with Dr. Clarke's com- 
mentary on Rev. v, 6, 1 am not ashamed to say 
my own views of this subject were not so cleai 
as they are now. As his remarks have proved 
such a great blessing to my own soul, I will 
give them to you in this letter: he says y • Jesus 
Christ appears in heaven as if now in the act 
of being offered. This is very remarkable ; so 
important is the sacrificial offering in the sight 
of God, that he is still represented as being in 
the very act of pouring out his blood for the 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 285 

offenses of man. This gives great advantage 
to faith ; when any soul comes to the throne of 
grace, he finds a sacrifice there provided for him 
to offer to God. Thus all succeeding genera- 
tions find they have the continual sacrifice ready, 
and the newly-shed blood to offer/ None but 
God knows what a blessed effect these remarks 
Lave had on my mind ; and have to the present 
moment I pray the Lord to give you heavenly 
wisdom to comprehend what is implied in them 
concerning the atonement of Christ. I can as- 
sure you I never read them but they give my 
faith a good lift ; or, if you will allow me the 
expression, they set a new edge to my feith. 
Whenever I come to a throne of grace, I now 
find a sacrifice provided, and newly-shed blood 
to offer ; this fills my soul with fresh vigor and 
courage to start in the Christian race. If you 
wish your soul to prosper, and to be a real Chris- 
tian, as you say in your letter, I would advise 
you to think much of this subject, and read the 
word of God on your knees in faith ; for you 
are an heir to all the exceeding great and pre- 
cious promises contained therein."] 

26tL The language of my heart at this time 



11 O Love, thou bottomless abyss, 
My sins are swallow'd up in thee, 

Coyer'd is my unrighteousness, 
Nor spot of guilt remains on me ; 

While Jesus' blood, through earth ard skies, 
Mercy, free, boundless mercy, criei." 






286 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul 
shall be joyful in my God : for he hath clothed 
me with a garment, he hath covered me with 
the robe of righteousness; as a bridegroom 
decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride 
adorneth herself with jewels." 

Nov. 3d. In the last two or three days I have 
felt my soul particularly engaged with the Lord, 
in order to keep my evidence bright for glory, 
and to have a closer walk with God. Last night, 
while lying on my pillow, this portion of God's 
most holy word flowed sweetly into my mind : 
" Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man 
love me, he will keep my words ; and my Fa- 
ther will love him, and we will come unto him, 
and make our abode with him." Such a divine 
and heavenly influence accompanied the appli- 
cation of the words, that I felt I was enabled to 
believe that the glorious truth contained in 
tliem was fulfilled in me ; and I rejoiced in it, 
and gave glory to God. Indeed I had such a 
confirmation of the truth and reality contained 
in these words, " We will come unto him, and 
make our abode with him," as I never felt be- 
fore. 

April 9th, 1833. I have spent three or four 
weeks at Tregew, and visited Flushing friends 
pretty much as I was able. I had the pleasure 
of seeing several made happy in God while I 
was with them. One afternoon, wlile taking 
tea at a friend's house, two young women came 
there in great distress of mind: before we 
parted, the Lord was pleased to set them both 






MEMOIR OF CARVOBSO. 

at liberty. may he keep thein steadfast in 

the faith ! 

21th. Yesterday I went to chapel, but was so 
poorly it was with difficulty I could return. At 
present I seem stripped of nearly all my bodily 
strength ; but I bless the Lord, I feel my mind 
perfectly resigned. Christ is all in all. I want 
no other portion in earth or heaven. His pre- 
sence makes my paradise. Unto me, who am 
less than the least of all saints, is this grace 
given. Glory be to God ! 

May 7th. Through the tender mercies of a 
kind, indulgent God, and the speaking blood 
which pleads for me in the courts of heaven, I 
am spared to see sixty-two years expire since 
the Lord was pleased to bless me with the Spirit 
of adoption, whereby I was enabled to cry, 
u Abba, Father ! my Lord and my God !" 

" The gladness of that happy day, 
O may it ever, ever stay ' 
Nor let my faith ere lose its hold, 
Nor hope decline, nor love grow cold. " 

Whether I shall survive another year 1 know 
not ; but whether I live long, or die soon, my 
Gcd, let me be found 

" Ready prepared and fitted here, 

By perfect holiness, t' appear 

Before thy glorious face." 

I bless his holy name for the prospect I now 
have ; and I praise him for the Fountain which 
he has opened for poor sinners, to wash their 
spotted souls from crimes of deepest dye. 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSa 

u Thy side an open fountain it, 
Where all may freely go ; 
And drink the living streams of bliss, 
And wash them white as snow." 

Glory be to God, the atonement never loses its 
virtue ! How often do I reflect with pleasure 
and delight on that precious declaration of St 
John, "The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, 
cleanses us from all sin." All the powers of the 
prince of darkness cannot withstand this ! 

June 2bth. A man who was genteelly dressed 
called on me to-day, and spoke very freely and 
familiarly, On my saying to him I could not 
recollect his person, he said, " I am your own 
child in the faith; my name is F. J., formerly of 
Ponsanooth." I then recollected him. He joined 
the society during the great revival, nineteen 
years back. He was then but a child ; yet very 
clearly and soundly converted to God. He 
soon after went to London, and, what was ra- 
ther remarkable for one converted so early in 
life, he now told me he had never cast off the 
fear of God, nor had his name erased from the 
class-booL 



IfEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 



CHAPTER Vm. 



The last entry in my father's narrative is 
that which concludes the foregoing chapter, the 
date of which precedes the finishing of his 
earthly course about fifteen months. A few 
days after, he set off on his last visit to his be- 
loved friends at Mousehole and Penzance. He 
stopped some weeks at my house. It was now 
too manifest that his natural force was much 
abated ; his strength being worn down by " the 
rush of numerous years." But, so far as his 
remaining strength permitted, he was constantly 
employed in striving to do good to all classes 
that lie had intercourse with. At times he was 
apparently so feeble as to have little power to 
converse on any subject ; but no sooner was an 
humble inquiring soul presented before him than 
all his former energy and vivacity returned; 
and he would maintain for hours an animated 
conversation on his beloved topics, " pardon, and 
holiness, and heaven." It was on this occasion 
that some persons, in very respectable life, not 
immediately connected with us as a religious 
body, manifested great anxiety to converse with 
him. They had different interviews, professed 
to receive the greatest benefit from his advice 
and instruction, and begged to be permitted to 
number themselves with his favored correspond- 
ents. As it was now with difficulty he could 
write at all, he did not promise to correspond 
19 



290 MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 

But before he left the neighborhood one of then; 
wrote to him, and earnestly begged that she 
might have, in writing, the substance of what lie 
had said to her in his conversation. With con- 
siderable effort he wrote to her a short letter, a 
part of which is as follows : — 

" I am happy to find that what I said to you 
proved such a blessing to your soul ; but I hope 
you will give all the glory to God, who alone 
is worthy to be praised. Sorry I am to find that 
you have in any degree lost the blessed enjoy- 
ment you were put in possession of. Instead 
of reasoning with Satan, you should have kept 
your eye steadfastly fixed on Jesus, ever living 
to make intercession for you, as if you were the 
only sinner in the world. This is gospel faith : — 

* The faith that conquers all 

And doth the mountain move ; 
That saves whoe'er on Jesus call, 
And perfects them in love/ 

If at any time you should let this faith slip, the 
moment you recollect yourself, you have the 
same privilege to believe again as you had at 
first, because you have an Advocate with the 
Father. Sometimes the witness of perfect love 
is not so clear as at first ; then you must learn 
to walk by faith, saying, with the prophet, <I 
will trust and not be afraid ;' yea, ' what time 
I am afraid I will trust in the Lord.' Believe 
and go forward; and O may the Lord enable 
you to hold fast your confidence and the rejoic 
ing of your hope unto the end ! I cannot promise 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 291 

to correspond with you ; but, in reference to jour 
request that I should pray for you, be assured 
I shall do it with all my heart while I have 
breath to utter desires before God." 

Soon after conference he paid us a visit at 
Redruth ; where he strove, in his usual way, to 
make himself useful, and had much pleasure 
in seeing some of his old friends. From hence 
he went to pay a final visit to his numerous and 
much-respected friends at Camborne, which 
was made a great blessing to many souls. A 
local preacher, who was much interested and 
blessed by his company and conversation while 
there, observed to me, that, "as it was his last 
visit, so, in some respects, it seemed to crown 
all his former visits among them." In seeking 
to help the sincere inquirer he toiled to the utmost 
of his strength. It is said that, in one instance, 
he labored for five successive hours in conver- 
sation with a person who had long been suffer- 
ing under the power of unbelief; and that at 
last his pious and mighty efforts were happily 
crowned with wonderful success. To a respect- 
able young man in business, who was intently 
pouring over his accounts, my father addressed a 
pointed remark or two, on the necessity of hav- 
ing his accounts fairly made out and balanced 
against the day when the eternal Judge should 
come to reckon with him. This led the intel- 
ligent youth to serious reflection on the great 
day of account, and the importance of being 
prepared for it : the happy result soon appeared 
in his conversion to God. More than one ox 



292 MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 

two of this respected family received special 
good by the same instrumentality. 

While at Camborne he wrote to one of his 
highly esteemed correspondents as/ follows :— 

" My Dear Sister, — I have received your 
very kind and welcome letter, and am glad to 
find it so well with you as it is. My daily 
prayer is, that you may be preserved blame 
less until the day of His coming. You know be 
hath said, ' I will never leave thee, nor shall 
any pluck thee out of my hand.' I shall never 
forget the conversation which I had with you at 
my son's, at Penzance, the first time I saw you ; 
I saw the earnest, longing desire that was in 
you to be wholly swallowed up in God. You 
then told me you wanted always to be so : and 
I recollect I said to you, that to be so always you 
must always believe ; and say, in the language 
of one of our hymns, — 

* All He hath for mine l claim ; 
I dare believe in Jesus' name.' 

Be sure, my sister, you keep your faith in 
lively exercise. Live jQOiriently ; do not bur- 
den yourself with to-morrow's trials : this is the 
way to get on. I cannot describe to you what 
T now suffer from giddiness in the head: and, 
ci late, I have been much in this way. But, 
I bless his holy name, it does not shake my 
confidence in God. Giving glory to him, I 
think I can say, — 

'Fix'd on this ground will I remain, 
Though my heart fail and flesh decay- 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 293 

I have no objection for you to engage in youi 
drawing. I think it right for you to do so. I 
trust the Lord will guide you aright in all 
things; and, while your eye is single, he will. 
There is a good work going on here at Cam- 
borne. Since I have been here I have seen 
many get into perfect liberty, while I have been 
talking to them, and endeavoring to point out 
to them the way to the blessing. I have been 
here three weeks. When I came I did not in- 
tend to stay so long; but the kind friends have 
constrained me." 

He returned home exceedingly feeble and 
poorly, and was no more able to visit distant 
societies. In this respect his great work was 
done ; and with much truth might it be said, 
he had done what he could. But he did not 
yet wholly lay adde his pen. With great 
effort to himself he continued now and then tc 
write a letter to an anxious and favored cor- 
respondent. I have one before me withe ut date, 
which appears to have been written in the 
month of December. It is addressed to one of 
his youngest born, for whose spiritual welfare 
he felt a deep solicitude. 

"My Dear Child in the Gospel, — I re- 
ceived your letter of November 30th, and thank 
you a thousand times for it. I am happy to 
and yoa have not got weary in well-doing ; but, 
according to the contents of your letter, far 
otherwise. I rejoice to hear you mention your 



294 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

faith in God ; and that you have now been kepi 
in possession of it fifteen months. I often think 
I see you on the Sunday morning, coming into 
the parlor rejoicing ; with heaven beaming in 
your countenance, exclaiming, 'I am happy: 
the Lord has pardoned all my sins/ Methinks 
I hear my dear Elizabeth say, 

'The gladness of that happy day,' etc 

I hope you do not let one day pass without 
praising God for what he hath done for you. I 
see it is of the greatest importance always to 
retain ' a sense of sins forgiven.' You used to 
mention in your letters how excellent you 
found Mr. Wesley's Sermons and Mrs. Rogers' 
Memoirs ; I entreat you, my dear child, do 
not neglect to read them often ; and be sure and 
search the word of God, and treasure up the 
precious promises in your heart. May the 
Lord make you and me Bible Christians' 
Amen. I thank you for the information you 
give me of your sister, my dear Anna, that she 
still meets in class. I corresponded with her 
for some years, and have now several of her 
letters in my possession. I hope I shall hate 
the pleasure to meet you both in heaven. 1 
suppose you have heard how the Lord is pour- 
ing out his Spirit at Mylor Bridge. Such a 
sight, at this place, I have never seen before. 
Many are brought to God, and I rejoice to 
inform you that two of the family are of the 
happy number — my grand-daughter and a ser- 
vant maid. We have prayer meetings every 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 295 

aight; but my weakness is such I can seldom 
attend ; but I hear three souls were made happy 
last night. 

' All honor and praise to Jesus alone.' 

' I hope you will excuse all blunders. All the 
pir.s of my tabernacle seem unloosed. My 
bead is giddy, and my sight so fails me that 
I cannot see to make or mend a pen as I ought. 
My memory also fails me, as you may easily 
discover by my writing. My kind love to you, 
my dear child, in the faith of the gospel, and I 
hope you will not forget to write to, and pray 
for, your loving though unworthy father in 
Christ. I can truly say, I cease not to pray for 
you night and day. My heart seems knit to 
you more than ever. Farewell, till I meet you 
in heaven." 

Feb. 21 st, 1834. To an accomplished cor- 
respondent, who has styled his letters " invalu- 
able," arid who earnestly solicited his correspond- 
ence so long as he could hold a pen, he wrote 
as follows : — 

" My Dear Miss J , — I thank you for 

your kind letter, and for all the good news 
which you have sent me. I am glad to hear 
the work of the Lord is so prospering with you. 
But whatever good is done the Lord doeth it, 
and he must have all the glory. You say you 
want a more lively faith, and desire me to teD 
you how to get it. You must take God at his 



296 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

word, my sister. He tells you, 'All is yours 
I see where you miss the simple way cf faith 
' and fall into the stinking dungeon, of self/ St 
Paul, I conceive, had no reference to rapturous 
joys when he said, l The life I now live in the 
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who 
loved me and gave himself for me/ Jesus ^ as 
wounded for your transgressions,' and i with his 
stripes,' that is, through the virtue of that blood 
which he poured out on the cross for you, ' you 
are healed.' ' Without shedding of blood there 
is no remission.' You say the reperusingof my 
letters has warmed your heart with divine love 
and gratitude, and that your joys 'have never 
been so great for any length of time as when I 
was blessed with your advice.' may the 
Lord bless you with heavenly wisdom to under- 
stand the faith which Mr. Wesley speaks of in 
these words : — 

' Though waves and storms go o'er my head, — 

Though strength, and health, and friends be gone ; 

Though joys be wither'd all and dead, 
And every comfort be withdrawn ; 

On this my steadfast soul relies, 

Father, thy mercy never dies.' 

I wish you to meditate upon the whole of this 
hymn, and pray that the Lord may reveal clear 
ly to your mind all that is contained in it ; then 
I am sure, you will not be perplexed abou 
frames and feelings, but say, with one of oH 
i Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him, 
May the Lord bless you with the mighty 'faitfc 
that conquers all !' No state of grace will es» 



MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 297 

empt us from temptation : Christ himself was 
tempted. When we are tempted, we must make 
use of the precious promises. You know what 
the answer to St. Paul was in the time of tempt- 
ation : < My grace is sufficient for thee.' I believe 
'h3 Lord never permits any trial to befall us, 
vvhile we look to him, but he will give us strength 
to bear it. let us take fresh courage, and may 
we conquer through his blood ! Amen." 

Feb. 28th. He wrote as follows to one of his 
own beloved children in the faith, with whom 
he had corresponded for several years : — 

" You say you are tossed with tempests, and 
not comforted. Methinks I hear the Lord saying 
to you, ' O thou of little faith, wherefore didst 
thou doubt ? ' Cast not away thy confidence, 
which hath great recompense of reward.' <A 
bruised reed will I not break, and smoking flax 
will I not quench.' ' Fear thou not, I am with 
thee.' I wish you to lay hold on these promises ; 
they are bought for you with the precious blood 
of Christ. Do not grieve the Spirit by saying, 
'They are not for me.' Yes, my dear child, 
they are for you. O may the Lord increase 
your faith ! I think you have more faith that 
you are willing to own. You say you are at 
times ' encouraged to hope that even the barren 
tree, such as myself, may yet again blossom, 
and bear fruit to the praise of the Lamb.' Now, 
I would ask you, Is this the language of faith, 
or of unbelief? O I want you to take courage, 
and say, with the poet, — 






298 MEMOIR OF CARV0880. 

i Hence, my doubts ; away, my fears f 
Jesus my salvation is.' 

This is the way to conquer and overcome all 
our enemies, and at last to shout victory through 
the blood of the Lamb. My strength is nearly 
gone, and I am getting weaker and weaker 
every day. I feel daily that I am losing nr ; 
memory, my sight, and my hearing. I assure 
you, that it is with very great difficulty I can 
form one letter of the alphabet. I do not know 
how many days I have been trying to write these 

Tew lines to you and my dear Miss J . And 

aow I am ashamed to send them to you after 
all. But you must excuse blunders, and the 
shortness of the letter ; and take it as it is, because 
I can do no better. My kind love to Miss W., 
and to all who inquire after me. I am glad tc 
hear Miss H. is happy. Please to give my 
best respects to her. I pray she may be ever 
steadfast and immovable, always abounding in 
the work of the Lord. Farewell, till I meet 
you all in heaven." 

Here, I believe, terminated the pious labors 
of his diligent hand ; this was his last letter. 
His active life, protracted to a period of unusual 
length, was now fairly closed: nothing re- 
mained but to retire, to suffer, and to die. ^ut 
before we attend him in his last sickness and 
death, a few remarks on his public character in 
the church may not be deemed amiss. 

To the high office of a preacher, according 
to the sense in which that term is generally 
taken, he never made any pretensions. In the 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 299 

bsence of a regular preacher, he would consent 
occasionally to take the pulpit ; when he would 
give a plain, useful address to the different 
characters in a mixed congregation. He would 
often remark to his friends, when the subject 
was introduced, " I am a teacher, but not a 
preacher ; that is a work to which God has not 
called me." In reference to this observation of 
his, it is remarked, in a letter before me, by a 
judicious friend who knew him long and in- 
timately, and had profited much by intercourse 
with him : " A teacher he was of the first order, 
in the science of saving souls. For usefulness, 
perhaps, Cornwall has not produced his fellow ; 
especially in helping the sincere seeker into 
gospel liberty ." 

It has been remarked of Methodism, that " it 
has a place for every man :" and doubtless this 
is one of its peculiar glories, that it finds office 
and employment for all the various talents of its 
members. We have traveling preachers, local 
preachers, exhorters, class leaders, prayer lead- 
ers, circuits tewards, and society stewards ; all 
these, and various other office bearers among 
us, perform an important part in the great work 
>f "perfecting the saints, and edifying the body 
>f Christ." The subject of these Memoirs was 
lot fitted for the first or second of these offices ; 
out others were open to him for which he was 
peculiarly fitted ; and hereby he was furnished 
with the opportunity of rivaling those who 
shall "shine as the stars for ever and ever ;" and 
"he church became possessed of one of the most 



300 MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 

active and serviceable agents ever employed ir 
building her walls or beautifying her palaces. 

To take a brief and connected view of the 
principal features of h ; .s active and useful cha- 
racter in the church of God : — He often gave a 
word of exhortation. This was a door of use- 
fulness which was open to him, and into which 
he entered, from a strong sense of duty to God, 
and with a longing desire to be a blessing to 
souls. Here he was at home ; often was a re- 
markable door of utterance given to him ; and 
he spoke a3 one having authority. He would 
frequently take as his topic a verse of one of our 
hymns, and thence bring forth treasures from 
the hidden things of God. The effect produced 
was often surprising. His words of fire seemed 
to fasten like cloven tongues on every heart. 
The spirit and language of our best hymns 
were peculiarly his own ; and in his hand they 
pierced like a two-edged sword. With stream- 
ing tears, and with an emphasis not to be de- 
scribed, he would sometimes exclaim, " Glory 
be to God that ever these hymns were writ- 
ten!" "With faith divinely bold," he would 
3eize on the helpless seeker of salvation, and 
at once assist him to step into the water, al- 
ready troubled. His exhortations were, I be- 
lieve, always spontaneous. 

As a prayer leader, he excelled in soundnc ss 
of speech which could not be condemned ; in 
variety of expression, in filial confidence, in fer- 
vor, and in love and compassion for the souls 
of his fellow worshipers. This was to him a 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 30 i 

aeld of great usefulness; and not a few will 
bless God eternally that ever he opened his 
mouth at a prayer meeting. It was a means 
of grace which he held in very high estimation : 
he deemed it a branch in .he system of Method- 
ism to which too much importance could not 
be easily attached, by those who wished either 
to get good or to do good. He considered that 
every member of society ought to attend this 
means of grace from a principle of duty. Stable 
piety, growth in grace, and the extension of the 
work of God in the conversion of sinners, were 
viewed by him as closely connected with a re- 
gular and conscientious attendance on prayer 
meetings. What sacrifices and efforts he would 
make to attend them, throughout every period 
of his long pilgrimage, is known to many. 
that the numerous hosts of prayer leaders, to 
whom he was well known, may increasingly 
partake of the spirit of devotion which breathed 
so eminently in him ! 

As a society steward he was also exemplary. 
He was prompt, and diligent, and peaceful. 
The pecuniary affairs of the society must not 
he permitted to fall behind while the matter 
was in his hands. He was neither backward 
to contribute, nor bore an unreasonable part of 
the burden himself: but urged on every one to 
do his part ; and produced those motives which 
never fail to operate where there is love to God 
and his cause on the earth : and to him Mc 
thodism was emphatically the cause of God. It 
united in itself everything that was dear to hiaa 



302 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO 

He loved the doctrines, the discipline, the mix* 
isters, the economy of Methodism in all it* 
bearings and relations. Disputes, and changes 
and divisions, he had often witnessed ; but 
such things never in the least degree moved 
him: with his whole heart, in life and death, 
he adhered to the doctrines, discipline, and min- 
istry which formed the instrument that God had 
rendered so effectual in rescuing his soul from 
sin, and misery, and hell, and constituting him 
an heir of glory, and a possessor of " righteous- 
ness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." In 
attending quarterly meetings he occasionally 
lamented the great want of a peaceable dispo- 
sition of mind so apparent in some. His own 
spiritual remarks and exhortations on these 
occasions were sometimes attended with a blessed 
unction from above. It was at a quarterly 
meeting held in this town about twenty years 
ago, after witnessing the gracious effect of & >me 
observations which he made on the deep things 
cf God, that the Rev. W. Martin advised him 
to make himself, and the great things of which 
he spoke, more generally known among the 
societies. This eminently devoted and useful 
minister did not live to see how fully, from that 
time, my father acted in accordance with his 
pious suggestion. 

As a chapel trustee he also rendered himself 
useful in promoting the mterests of the church 
of Christ. Trustees are a class of men not so 
prominent as some others in our economy ; but 
diey fill an office of infinite importance ' *> the 






MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 308 

stability and extension of the body, being legally 
constituted the guardians of the purity of the 
ministry, the privileges of the congregation, and 
the property of the connection. They often 
have much toil and much pecuniary responsi- 
bility, for the reward of which they can only 
bok to the resurrection of the just, and to the 
consciousness which they have within their 
breasts that they are personally contributing to 
the happiness of their neighbors, and to the 
upholding of the cause of Christ and his min- 
istry in the earth. In his own narrative we 
have seen what part my father took in this good 
work. In addition to the ordinary features in this 
work of benevolence, he had the honor and hap- 
piness of taking the special lead in the erection 
of the first chapel for the benefit of that society 
and congregation of which he was the nursing 
father so many years. 

As a class-leader he was deservedly held in 
the highest estimation. It was an office exactly 
to his taste, and for the discharge of its duties 
he had qualifications of no common order. He 
is an instance of the wisdom exemplified by 
the founder of Methodism in employing such a 
class of men in gathering and building up the 
church of God. Few men, however great 
might be their attainments in theology and di- 
vinity, could excel, or even equal him here. 
Within the sphere of the class meeting he was 
a wise master-builder : and how eager inquiring 
souls were to profit by him in this means of 
grace, is well known to thousands. In many 



304 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

places when it was known that he was to meet 
a class, and the room admitted of it, crowds from 
other classes would come to listen to his deep, 
experimental instructions, and to catch the fire 
of his spirit. His visit to a society was often 
regarded as a sort of era ; for the expectation 
of the people, and the fervor of his soul, when 
they met " together in one place with one ac- 
cord," often conspired to bring more than ordi- 
nary influences from above. He was never 
harsh in meeting a class, but he would blend 
great fidelity with fervent, melting compassion ; 
so that however close he came, he would rarely 
give offense. In an early part of my Christian 
life, I remember he once remarked to me, in 
reference to a member of his class whose unsatis- 
factory conduct and experience had given him 
much pain, " I can speak to him without much 
difficulty when I come to him with my own 
soul melting under the influence of heavenly 
love." 

He considered the class meeting a spiritual 
fold, into which every soul who had a desire 
to flee from the wrath to come, and be saved 
from sin, should at once be conducted ; because 
he knew, from facts almost innumerable, that, 
within the boundary of this infinitely important 
means of salvation, holy desires and resolutions 
were more happily nourished, defended, and 
strengthened, than they could be elsewhere. 
A class meeting was used by him as a grand 
instrument to promote decision of religious 
principle , and th^ good which he did in thii 



MEMOIR OF CJLaVOSSO. 305 

w&y is beyond calculation. Here I can >peak 
with confidence, for I speak from experience. 
The kind pressure and the constraining love 
which he used to get me to the class meeting 
were little short of compulsion. I could not get 
out of his hands. It is right, perhaps, I should 
say I was not at this time what is termed im- 
moral in my conduct; but of the immediate 
striving of the Spirit's influences upon my own 
mind I was then as unconscious as I had been 
for many years before. Yet such was the effect 
of my being brought within the hallowing 
bounds of the assembly of the saints, that, be- 
fore the lapse of twenty-four hours, I was quite 
decided in pursuit of the religion of the heart. 
I make this reference to my own case, to show 
the importance of parents and class leaders, and 
all members of the church of God, using their 
utmost personal influence to bring every hope- 
ful subject within the range of the sanctifying 
influence of the Spirit and the discipline of 
Christian communion. From this mode of 
augmenting the number of our classes there is 
no danger of lowering the tone of experimental 
or practical piety, while leaders discharge their 
duty to all such as place themselves under their 
/are; and earnestly do I pray that this trait 
in my father's character may tell on the hearts 
and consciences of many who shall read this 
little volume. 

Visiting the sick was another department of 
jsefulness in which God was pleased greatly to 
lonor him. To the truth of this, the foregoing 
20 



306 MEMOIR OP CARTOSSO. 

pages have borne ample testimony. He ap 
proached the sick bed with such clear percep 
dons of the covenant of mercy, such a strong 
apprehension of the efficacy of /the blood of 
atonement, such a confidence in God, and such 
a compassion for the souls of the afflicted, that 
they almost instantly fclc that they were brought 
into the presence of a son of consolation and a 
helper of their joy. By a few minutes' conver- 
sation and prayer the whole scenery of the sick 
man's apartment was often changed ; it was, in 
fact, turned from darkness to light. Many who 
have accompanied him on these occasions have 
beheld, and wondered, and adored. I have be- 
fore me a letter just now received from Mr. T., 
a local preacher, at Saltash, a highly respected 
friend of my father, with whom he maintained 
a close and profitable correspondence for many 
years. Mr. T. details several very striking 
cases of his usefulness : among others, the con- 
version of two persons whom he visited in a 
state of deep affliction. As the letter is very 
interesting, and serves both to illustrate his cha- 
racter and confirm many of his own narrations, 
being the testimony of a bystander, I think the 
reader will not be displeased at my giving a 
pretty long extract : — 

" One day while our dear friend was w: th 
us," says Mr. T., " we took him up the river to 
Beer-Alston mines. There is a pretty long 
row of houses, occupied by miners and their 
families ; and as we were seven or eight in com- 
pany, it arrested the attention of the people, 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO, 307 

and several of them came to their dooru This 
gave full employment to our dear friend, for Le 
passed but few without talking to them about 
their souls. At length we arrived at the door 
of a person who knew something of me, am' 
pressed us to come in. Your dear father, wh< 
seemed always to have one thing in view 
presently began to address himself to a youn^ 
girl, the daughter of the woman of the house 
and he talked so kindly and closely on the 
affairs of her soul, that before long her bosom 
began to heave with unusual emotion, and her 
face appeared the index of a mind strongly 
exercised ; but the mother wanting her to go 
for some fruit for us, she left. His attention was 
now directed to the mother, who, he found, had 
once loved God, but had lost the evidence of the 
divine favor. He begged her to come near 
and sit down beside him, that he might converse 
with her on the subject ; and this he did to good 
purpose. I made signs to the friends present to 
lift up their hearts in silent prayer to God ; and 
presently there seemed such a blessed influence 
in the place, that I was constrained to praise 
God aloud. Shortly the woman was so much 
affected, that your father said, i Let us pray ;' 
and in a very little time the woman found peace 
in believing. 

" But a more striking case is yet before us. 
At this place we heard of a blacksmith being 
very ill, and were desired to call and see him 
Although pressed for time, on our way back 
to the boat we inquired out ibis poor man 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

and found him stretched on a sort of crib in a 
little hut, in the last stage of consumption. His 
wife having gone out, he was left quite alone, 
and seemed surprised to see so many strangers 
enter his mean habitation. But your dear father 
soon engrossed all his attention. Walking up 
to his bedside, he said to him, ' Well, my friend, 
we are come in to inquire how you are.' 6 1 am 
very bad, sir,' said the poor man. < How long 
have you been ill ?' i I have been lying here 
these ten weeks.' ' Indeed ! but we are come 
more particularly to inquire how your mind is.' 
' Very bad, sir.' ' Indeed! what is the matter, 
then ?' ' O sir, I am such a great sinner !' i A 
great sinner are you ?' i yes, sir.' ' Well ; 
what did Jesus Christ die for ?' ' For sinners, 

sir ; but I am -' i Stop, now ; answer my 

questions. You say, Jesus Christ died to save 
sinners : did he not die to save you ?' ' Yes, 
sir.' ' Well, now, if he died to save you, should 

you not praise him ?' i Yes, sir; but ' 'Now 

stay, my friend ; just answer my question. You 
admit that Christ died for you ; then, I ask, 
should you not praise him ?' ' Yes, sir.' i Come 
then, my brother, lift up your voice and praise 
him. Glory be to God ! glory be to God ! Ccme, 
my dear brother, join with me to praise the Lord.' 
The pour heavy-laden sinner seemed astonished 
at the request ; but being repeatedly urged, he 
at length consented to attempt to open his lips 
to use words of praise. Our dear friend en- 
couraged him. And though, at first, he seemed 
to utter words of praise, not from the lively 



MEMOIR OF CARV08SO. 309 

sense of gratitude, but rather in conformny tc 
the wishes of his kind and venerable instructor : 
yet, teing hereby insensibly brought off from 
himself to look tc his crucifisd Redeemer, the 
power quickly descended into his soul in such 
a manner, that he shouted with all the energy 
of a strong man, ' Glory ! glory ! glory ! praise 
the Lord !' till, being exhausted, he fell back 
on his pillow, and for the moment I feared 
what would be the consequence of his extra- 
ordinary exertions. But I was presently re- 
lieved by his again raising himself in his bed, 
and shouting as he had done before ; when your 
dear father called on me to pray. I prayed ; and, 
as you may suppose, with no common feeling. 
Our friend and the blacksmith kept shouting 
aloud for joy of heart, and the rest of the 
company were on their knees praising God. 
Meanwhile the wife returned, and several 
other persons had come in, attracted by the 
noise. So that, altogether, such an extraor- 
dinary scene was exhibited as I never before 
witnessed. 

" I took him another day to see a woman ill in 
bed, and fast verging to the grave. He conversed 
with her, and being satisfied with the sense she 
Lad of her state as a sinner, and the sincerity 
of her repentance, he offered her Christ as a 
present Saviour; and soon did the Saviour take 
the happy possession of her heart. At a mo- 
Aient when neither of us was speaking, she 
suddenly broke out into holy rapture, and con- 
tinued to shout the praises of God aloud, till, 






810 MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 

like the poor blacksmith, she sunk on her pillow 
exhausted ; and, like him, she quickly revived ; 
and we left her rejoicing in the arms of her 
Saviour. I attended on her till her death, when 
she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus." 

There is another prominent feature in the 
active and useful department of my father's cha- 
racter ; it is his preaching Christ from house to 
house. This was his forte ; and herein it pleased 
God to make him a blessing, distinguished, ex- 
tensive, and never to be forgotten. His much- 
esteemed and judicious friend, Mr. John Boase, 
of Penzance, observes in a letter before me :— 
" I conceive his great sphere of usefulness lay 
among private families, in his religious visits 
from house to house. Here, in his colloquy with 
the members of the family, he would deeply 
search the heart, both of the serious and the 
thoughtless; applying with great power such 
portions of God's holy word as were appro- 
priate to their cases, and often with great success ; 
as the results of which I doubt not many will 
6 arise to call him blessed.' " It is not easy to 
give those who knew him not any adequate 
idea of his mode of conversing about spiritual 
things. It was so simple, so affectionate, ~o 
interesting, so faithful, and so forcible, that it 
seldom failed to arrest the attention, and move 
the best feelings of the heart. His tears, his 
emphasis, his appeals to the conscience, his 
full and manifest confidence in the reality and 
worth of the things he spoke of, and hi 3 devout 
aspirations for a divine blessing on what he 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 311 

said ; all conspired to produce such impressions 
as it was not easy for any one to efface, however 
little love he had for religion. When he had once 
gained the ear of a person, and had apparently 
exhausted all his artillery to little or no purpose, 
he would often, in the most striking manner, 
refer him to the final judgment, where he must 
meet him, and give an account for the use he 
made of that conversation. Of this, some eases 
are mentioned already; but a very remarkable 
instance of his success in this way lies before 
me in his own hand-writing, which may be ap- 
propriately inserted here. It is without date, 
but appears to 'have occurred about 1820. My 
father observes,- — 

" One time, when at Camborne, W. J. re- 
quested me to go to his house, for the purpose 
of having some conversation with his wife about 
the salvation of her soul. When I had finished 
what I had to say to her, I did not know how 
to leave without speaking a word to the tenant 
who occupied the other part of the house. I 
found him a man quite unconcerned about his 
soul ; so after I had reasoned with him about an 
hour on righteousness, temperance, and a judg- 
ment to come, perceiving that I made no im- 
pression on his hard, impenitent heart, I wished 
him well, and left him ; but as I was shutting 
the door, something struck me very powerfully 
that I ought to return to him and give him an- 
other warning. So I went back, and said to 
him, ' If you do not reduce to practice what 1 
have delivered to you, I shall appear in the judg- 



312 MEMOIR OF CABVOSSO. 

ment of the great day to condemn you/ I said 
no more, but left him to his own reflections. 
The next morning I heard that William Mean 
was distressed about his soul. I called to see 
him, and found it was true. ' All that you said 
to me/ says he, 'made no impression on my 
mind till you returned and uttered the last 
words ; it then very forcibly struck me that God 
had sent you to warn me to flee from the wrath 
to come.' He was now deeply humbled before 
God on account of his sins, and willing to give 
up all, that he might obtain an interest in the 
Saviour's blood. I endeavored to show him the 
willingness there was in Jesus to receive him at 
once ; and he was soon enabled to rejoice in a 
sin-pardoning God. He was a miner ; and af- 
ter he had maintained a very consistent profes- 
sion for three years, he was summoned into 
eternity in a moment, being suddenly swallowed 
up in the bowels of the earth, while at his work 
in the mine. After three days his body was 
found, and a funeral sermon was preached for 
him by the Rev. J. Ackerman. How mysteri- 
ous are the ways of Providence !" 

In seeking the salvation of souls, he was 
emphatically in season and out of season. 
Wherever he found the sinner, in this world of 
mercy, his case was never deemed hopeless by 
him •. with confidence in God he seized on the 
smoking brand, and strove to pull him out of 
the fire. This was often strikingly manifest in 
his reproving sin. Constant success in his at- 
tempts to do good in this way could not be ex 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 313 

pected; yet his pious reproofs were often not 
in vain, even when administered under circum- 
stances most unfavorable. An instance or two 
may be mentioned. While waiting one day 
for the ferry boat, on the Green Bank Quay, at 
Falmouth, a sailor, who was also standing there, 
was heard using profane language. My fathei 
reproved him ; and, in his own earnest and im- 
pressive manner, spoke to him at some length 
on the awful consequences of sin, and the ne- 
cessity of preparing to meet his God. What 
effect this had on the sailor's mind is not known ; 
but a respectable woman, who stood at some 
distance, seeing my father talking to him with 
great earnestness, was induced, from a motive 
of curiosity, to draw near enough to hear what 
was said. It was a word in season to her ; for 
the arrow of divine truth penetrated her heart ; 
and, after the lapse of some considerable time, 
my father had the happiness of accidentally 
hearing that it proved the means of her conver- 
sion and salvation. 

Returning one day from a visit to a neigh- 
boring society, he was invited to ride in a com- 
mon cart or wagon. The driver soon showed 
himself to be an unconverted character ; and 
having several miles to jog on together, my fa- 
ther improved the time in his usual way, by 
talking to the man about his soul, and urging 
him at once to give his heart to God. After 
much conversation about eternal things, some- 
thing of a breach was made in the ramparts of 
din, and my fathei obtained his promise that 



314 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

he would not that night retire to bed without 
prayer; an advantage of which he well knew 
how to make good use. On returning home at 
night, the man could not forget {he conversa- 
tion, and the vow he had made ; and, therefore, 
durst not recline his head on his pillow without 
bowing his knees to God in prayer. He dM 
not pray in vain: God heard his requests, grant- 
ed him repentance unto life, and soon made him 
happy in a clear sense of pardoning love. He 
became a burning and shining light, and has 
long been a highly esteemed and useful leader 
of two classes. 

But a case much more singular and remark- 
able remains to be told ; it is that of a drunk- 
ard being awakened to a sense of sin, by a 
striking and thrilling reproof administered to 
him while in a state of actual intoxication. The 
person is now a very steady, active, useful leader 
in this circuit. The fact was first brought under 
my notice at a love-feast about twelve months 
ago, and was unknown to my father till I in- 
formed him of it. I will give the narrative in 
J. D.'s own language, as he related it to me. 
" I was," says he, " a hard-working man ; and, 
by extraordinary exertions in weighing ore at 
the mine, I got a great deal of money. But 
just as fast as I got it I spent it in strong drink. 
I used often to be absent from home for several 
days and nights together in a state of continued 
drunkenness. On one occasion, after I had 
been out three days and nights on a drinking 
bout, at Falmouth, my wife came on a Sundav 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 815 

morning to seek for me, and to take me home 
Returning with her and another person, while 
passing through Ponsanooth in a state of intoxi- 
cation, there were some persons coming out of 
a meeting; your father (whose name I got tc 
know some years afterward) was among the 
number. Seeing my state, he came up to me, 
and, laying his hand upon my shoulder, said, 
1 Young man, do you know where you are 
going V As well as I was able to answer him, 
I told him I was trying to make the best of my 
way home. ' This is not what I mean/ says 
he : ' do you know that you are now in the road 
to hell, and if you do not stop, you will soon be 
there ?' Such was the effect of his reproof upon 
my mind, that in less than two minutes after he 
left me I was as entirely freed from the effects 
of liquor as I had ever been in my life ; and, 
before I had walked a mile, my soul became so 
filled and burdened with a sense of my guilt 
and sin, I was constrained to seek an opportunity 
to turn aside into a solitary place in a field, and 
there fall down upon my knees, and cry to God 
for mercy. Nor could I leave the spot for 
some hours. I got home with my burden in 
the evening, and, after a severe struggle of 
some months' continuance, I found peace with 
God." 

To these traits in his public and useful cha- 
racter may be added another, in which he was 
eminent and mighty ; that is, in his intercessory 
cries and struggles in his closet. The ardor of 
desire, and strength of faith, which he threw 



316 MEMOIR OF OARVOSSO. 

into these holy pleadings and wrestlings before 
God in secret, were very great, and truly cha- 
racteristic of his other efforts to do good. He 
firmly believed that God heard and answered 
" the prayer of faith " in behalf of others, and 
he proceeded with all his soul to act upon this 
conviction of the truth. The preceding pages 
bear ample testimony to this. In the conver- 
sion of his children, he tells us, he took hold of 
the promise, and retired to make known his 
wishes and his confidence to the Searcher of 
hearts. Here, "in audience with the Deity," 
he had " power with God and with men ;" and 
often did he " prevail." 

As he labored and delighted much in the duty 
of intercessory prayer, and as the " effectual 
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth 
much," it is not unlikely that it will at last ap- 
pear, many have been more indebted to his be- 
nevolent interposition on their behalf, than they 
were aware of. Above twenty years ago, a 
little before the Lord poured out his Spirit in 
an extraordinary manner on the people, and 
multitudes were converted from the error of 
their ways, I remember hearing him speak of 
the agony he felt in secret, while engaged with 
God for sinners. " The weight of their awful 
state," he observed, " is so laid on my soul that 
even my body seems crushed with the load, and 
I can scarcely stand upright." 

There was one thing remarkable, which he 
often mentioned : it was the communion of 
spirit, and familiar intercourse, which he held 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 317 

with those for whom he prayed much, if they 
were persons enjoying spirituality of mind. As 
by this peculiar kind of communion or inter- 
course of spirit with his very intimate friends 
when absent, he sometimes seemed to get a 
knowledge of their state, whether depressed or 
joj ous, it supplied to him in a great degree the 
blank occasioned by their personal absence. On 
my landing at Falmouth, after an absence from 
England of ten years and ten months, knowing 
his strong feelings, and the struggle which it 
had occasioned him to give me up, I sent a 
messenger before me to prepare his mind for 
our first interview, lest my sudden and unex- 
pected appearance might occasion something 
disastrous. But to my no small astonishment 
he received me with as much tranquillity aiw* 
composure of mind, as if I had returned from a 
neighboring circuit after an absence of one month 
only. Standing before me, bending under the 
weight of more than fourscore years, and, like 
another patriarch, leaning on the top of his staff, 
and surrounded by his family, one of his first 
observations was, addressing himself to others 
who were present, and speaking apparently to 
account for the absence of all perturbation of 
mind, — " Ever since he left me, my spirit has 
been daily as familiar with his at a throne of 
grace, as if he had been always in the same 
room with me." 

The following extract from his letter to me, 
on receiving the communication informing him 
of my safe arrival at my destination, will be an 



SIS MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

interesting appendage to these remarks. 1 
should observe, that, in the long interval of 
thirteen months from the time of our sailing, 
many rumors had spread of the vessel having 
foundered at sea. My father says, — " With 
laueh pleasure and satisfaction, my dear son. 
we read your letter over ; yea, again and again 
with ten thousand thanks to the God of hea- 
ven for preserving you and your dear wife from 
all the storms and raging billows you were ex- 
posed to. 

1 All honor and glory to Jesus alone.* 

Surely he is the God of the sea as well as of 
the land. Yes, blessed be his name, 

1 He rides upon the stormy sky, 
And calms the roaring seas.' 

I felt much for you both. One day in my 
closet, when pouring out my soul to the God of 
heaven, that he would preserve and bring you 
safe to land, he answered me and said, ' The} 
are got safe there already.' I knew his voice, 
and believed it ; yes, I as much believed what 
God told me as if I saw you landed. I in- 
ibrmed your sister of it, and took care to mark 
the day. It was the 30th of April, 1820 ; and, 
on reference to your journal, I see you landed 
on the 25th. My dear children, I write you 
this to strengthen your hands, and to give you 
to see what the prayer of faith will do. We 
must carry everything to the Lord, and spread 
it before him. Yes, tell him everything, open 
your whole souU to him, all your hopes, all your 



MEMOIR OF 0ARVOS8O. 319 

fears, all your trials, and all your cares. For 
these things he will be inquired of, and nothing 
will have a greater tendency to increase our 
faith than this. Indeed, we are told not only to 
tell him our cares, &c, but to cast them all 
upon him. Now, we ought to think it a great 
privilege to be permitted to cast a portion of our 
cares upon him: but, how amazing it is to 
think of his condescension toward his children ! 
in that he hath told them to cast all their cares 
upon him ; yes, upon the great eternal Jehovah : 
for 'salvation will God appoint for walls and 
bulwarks.' The night I received your letters 
I had another answer in prayer for you : I was 
entreating the Lord to strengthen you, that you 
might be able to er-^./rnter all the difficulties 
you have to surr */unt ; and he graciously con- 
descended orcti more to answer my prayers for 
you. He spoke, and spoke with power : every 
nerw in my body felt the effects of it. The 
w^rds which were applied to my mind with 
much force were these, 'I will be with them, 
and my presence shall go before them.' I was 
overwhelmed and satisfied; I was constrained 
to cry out, < This is enough, Lord, this is 
?nough P " 

One other department of useful and benevo- 
lent exertion, in which the subject of these Me- 
moirs labored with uncommon assiduity, was 
his pious epistolary correspondence. Whether 
be was herein more useful, or less useful, than 
m any other department, I have no doubt 
many who did not personally know him will 



320 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

regard this as the most extraordinary trait ir, 
his character, when they are informed that, at 
the age of sixty-five, his utmost performance 
with a pen was barely to subscribe his name. 
Up to this period, I cannot discover that he had 
ever attempted to put to paper a single thought ; 
and, according to what he told me in his last 
sickness, he then deemed himself quite ignorant 
of the art of writing. But he was naturally a 
man of an active mind, and was armed with 
much patient resolution in pursuing any object 
he took in hand ; and the circumstances in 
which he was now providentially placed made 
writing a most desirable acquisition. I was re- 
moved from him to the distance of fifty miles ; 
our sweet intercourse was dissolved, and he 
longed for the ability to tell me his thoughts 
and feelings by letter. He took a sheet of pa- 
per and sat down, for the first time, to speak by 
such a medium ; and though the performance 
was humble, yet, I doubt not, he succeeded far 
better than he expected. It answered a valua- 
ble purpose to him, and was the occasion of 
much gratitude to God. After this, when he 
became the father of many spiritual children in 
different parts of the country, he was moved to 
exhort, and to counsel and comfort them by let- 
ters. Thus in the course of a few years he had 
a circle of correspondents more numerous than 
that of most men : and if he never attained the 
character of a complete scribe, he learned to 
communicate his thoughts, with ease and com- 
parative perspicuity, to any part of the globe 



MEMOIR OF CARYOSSO. 32. 

in a hand little short of elegant for an aged per- 
son. He put to paper matter enough to fill 
many volumes; lived to see his epistles alike 
esteemed and desired by the humble laborer 
and the learned counsel, the illiterate servant- 
girl and the accomplished lady ; and, what was 
far better to him than all this, he had the great 
happiness of knowing that his letters did good 
to souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus. But 
for this unparalleled effort of his pious, benevo- 
lent, and ardent mind, the present volume had 
not existed; which, if rendered the means of 
gratifying his numerous friends, and doing 
good to others as far as may be reasonably 
hoped for, will, in addition to what was done in 
his lifetime, fully justify his uncommon effort, 
and be of more real benefit to the world than 
many noisy undertakings which promised far 
more at the outset 



CHAPTER DL 

On entering 1834, my dear and honored father 
expressed a presentiment which occupied his 
mind, that he had then commenced the year 
which was to terminate his earthly pilgrimage. 
He stated that on one occasion, when from home, 
amidst the displays of the power of God among 
the churches, he was taken ill ; and not know- 
ing how it might go with him, while looking up 
to Him who " giveth to all life, and breath, and 
21 



322 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

all things," a voice spoke to him and said, "1 
will add to thy days fifteen years." That period 
was just now expired, and the same authorita- 
tive voice seemed to say, " This year thou 
shalt die." 

The affliction by which it pleased God to re- 
move him to his heavenly reward commenced 
about the beginning of August. It was painful 
and protracted ; and to some it appeared rathei 
mysterious, that one who had so long and so 
eminently walked with God, and who had in 
such an extraordinary manner gone about doing 
good, should, at the close of his life, be called 
to pass through affliction's furnace, heated even 
hotter than it is wont to be heated. Many 
had fancied that he would enter into the joy of 
his Lord by a sort of translation. When, there- 
fore, they heard of his severe suffering for many, 
many weeks, their faith in the divine benefi- 
cence was almost staggered. But where do we 
learn this doctrine, that saints must be exempt 
from suffering, or the goodness of God impeach- 
ed ? Had this state been the final reward of 
the saints, instead of the arena of their probation 
and trial, there would, perhaps, be some ground 
to question the love of God. But seeing their 
stay here is but for a moment, that they are on 
their way to " another and a better world," that 
they are to be rewarded there according to their 
works, and that the " faith tried with fire, shall 
be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at 
the appearing of Jesus Christ ;" pain, with grace 
to beai it, must now be ranked among the most 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 323 

precious gifts of Heaven. Hence the God of 
our mercies has so laid down the path to glory, 
as to lead his people through much tribulation 
to enter the kingdom. In the order of things, 
and to render them the more desirable and 
blissful ease, and rest, and glory, are to suc- 
ceed pain, and toil, and dishonor. Thus it 
was with Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, 
and thus it was with that " cloud of witnesses" 
who " through faith obtained a good report." 
We know who has said, " As many as I love I 
rebuke and chasten." And again : " Every 
branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it 
may bring forth more fruit." 

Aug. 13th. I yesterday visited my dear 
father in his deep affliction. He has now been 
ill about a fortnight. His disease is an in- 
flammation in the bladder ; a complaint often 
incident to old age. Alas ! " his strength is now 
labor and sorrow." I was never before so struck 
with the truth contained in these words. The 
pain is at times excruciating. It was a very 
afflicting scene. This is a dispensation which 
calls loudly for faith in God, both in him, and 
in those who from sympathy suffer with him. 
Soon after I entered the room he turned to me, 
and said with much emotion, " My present ex- 
perience is contained in this verse of our 
hymn : — 

* He has engross'd my warmest love, 
No earthly charm my soul* can move , 
I have a mansion in his heart, 
Nor death nor hell can make us part.' *" 



324 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

He afterward told me, that, in the beginning 
of his affliction, the adversary had been permit- 
ted to thrust sore at him. Extreme pain had 
bereft him of his joy, and it was then powerfully 
suggested, that, so long as he continued in the 
body, it would no more return to him. And to 
enter the valley and shadow of death, without 
one ray of heavenly joy, appeared to him 
gloomy indeed. But while he was striving to 
look up for help, and to stay his soul upon God 
amidst the thick gloom of the temptation, these 
words of the Psalmist brought him very gra- 
cious relief: " Why art thou cast down, my 
soul ? And why art thou disquieted within me ? 
hope in God ; for I shall yet praise him, who is 
the health of my countenance and my God." 
From this time he was enabled to hold the 
enemy at a greater distance. At a subsequent 
period, a blessed increase of comfort was 
brought to his soul by a powerful application 
of the words of the prophet, " Can a woman 
forget her sucking child, that she should not 
have compassion on the son of her womb? 
yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget 
thee: behold, I have graven thee upon the 
palms of my hands." 

In his worst moments, he observed, he had 
not felt the slightest doubt of his final salvation ; 
but he seemed scarcely capable of finding lan- 
guage sufficiently strong to express the sense 
which he had of his unworthiness and unfaith- 
fulness. All his hope rested exclusively on the 
atonement, in which he trusted and gloried. 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 825 

His whole soul appeared to find utterance, 
while he exclaimed, in the language of Mr. 
Wesley, — 

" I the chief of sinners am, 
But Jesus died for me." 

No doubt God will sanctify this most distressing 
dispensation, and bring forth his servant as gold 
seven times purified in the fire. It pleased the 
Father to bruise his Son Jesus ; and thus make 
the Captain of our salvation perfect through 
sufferings ; and herein my dear parent has fel- 
lowship with his Lord and Master. 0, may his 
faith and patience hold out, and be stronger and 
stronger to the end ! Surely it will be so, and 
his final hour bring glory to his God ! 

Monday ', 18th, This morning early I was 
sent for to attend my father, who had been taken 
much worse during the night. I found him in 
great bodily suffering. Since I saw him on 
Wednesday, he had drunk deep of the bitter cup. 
The sight was very distressing to tho.^e about 
him. At ten, A. M., he was seized with a con- 
vulsive fit. We then thought the mortal afflic- 
tion was past ; but, after lying in a state of in- 
sensibility about four hours, he again awoke up 
in a suffering world ; but with a blessed increase 
of the earnest of heaven in his soul. For several 
successive hours he exhibited in lively conver- 
sation all the triumph of faith. With a coun- 
tenance illuminated with holy joy, and in a tone 
and emphasis not to be described, he exclaimed, 
" have fought a good fight, I have finished my 



326 MEMOIIi OF CARVOSSO. 

course, I have kept the faith ; henceforth there 
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which 
the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me 
in that day." Never before did I hear thi* 
beautiful passage quoted and applied so appro- 
priately and feelingly. Every clause seemed 
living truth, exhibiting all the freshness of " the 
tender grass springing out of the earth by the 
clear shining after rain." " I speak not boast- 
ingly," says he, * I am a sinner saved by grace, 
— the chief of sinners, for whom Jesus d'^d. 

4 Surety, who all my debt has paid, 

For all my sins atonement made, 

The Lord my righteousness.' 

I have no doubt, no fear, all is calm within ; 
perfect love caste th out fear. I shall soon be 
with Jesus. 

1 Jesus, my ail in all thou art ; 

My rest in toil, my ease in pain ; 
The med'eine of my broken heart ; 

In war my peace, in loss my gain : 
My smile beneath the tyrant's frown, 
In shame my glory and my crown. '" 

He then adverted to the assurance of fa:th, 
and strongly insisted on the Christian's privi- 
lege to retain the indubitable evidence ; observ- 
ing that " God's word says, ' We know that all 
things work together for good,' &c. ; and again, 
4 We know that if our earthly house of this taber- 
nacle bo dissolved, we have a building of God, 
a house not made with hands, eternal in the hea- 
vens;' not we hope — we trust — but 'we know.'" 

On a young class-leader, who was preser 



MEMOIB OF CARVOSSO. 82^ 

he urged the necessity and impoitance of his 
using every means to prevent the members of 
his little flock from resting short of their privi- 
leges as believers in Christ. Taking him affec- 
tionately by the hand, he said, with much mean 
mg and emphasis, " My brother, be a spiritual 
guide." 

To a young person who came into the room, 
he spoke in very affectionate and affecting terms, 
entreating her at once to give her heart to God ; 
bidding her to behold in him what religion could 
do ; now lying as he was on a bed of suffering 
and death. An aged friend taking leave of him, 
who, he feared, was resting short of conversion, 
he very urgently pressed upon her the necessity 
of her more earnestly seeking regeneration, and 
the evidence of the forgiveness of sins. Highly 
to our edification and joy, we now beheld the 
veteran Christian warrior in the bottom of the 
burning fiery furnace, clapping his hands amidst 
the flame, and triumphing and glorying in his 
great Deliverer. 0, it was good to be there: 
I would not have been absent on any account. 
Truly it was a place "privileged beyond the 
common walk of virtuous life, — quite in the 
verge of heaven." I had long seen my dear 
father doing, I now saw him suffering, the will 
of God. While we knelt round his bed in 
prayer, we felt the presence of God in an extra 
ordinary manner. Glory be to God ! 

Thursday, 21st Since Monday, my dear fa- 
ther has suffered much ; but his soul is more 
and more humbled and purified. Yesterday 



328 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

afternoon, he spoke as one who could scarcely 
hear the sight of himself. He seemed to see so 
many imperfections in his life, that he durst not 
look at it, hut at the hlood of the cross alone. 
•' Christ," says he, " must be all in all. He ever 
liveth to make intercession for us; what should 
I do without this ?" 

Suffering from strong pain, and! here being too 
much ground to apprehend an increase, he beg- 
ged us to pray that his faith might not fail him. 
"0!" says he, "that I had wings like a dove ; 
for then would I i\y away, and be at rest. I 
would hasten my escape from the windy storm 
and tempest But the Lord is too good to be 
unkind, and too wise to err. May he give me 
an increase of faith !" I said, " Father, in due 
season you si mil reap." He instantly replied, 
with much emphasis. ^ Yes; if I faint not." 
And it may be remarked, from the general tone of 
his conversation that his soul was so duly bal- 
anced on the v truth as it is in Jesus," that he 
seemed equally alive to man's faithfulness and 
God's free grace. Hence, when any one spoke 
of his devoted life, he would eagerly introduce 
the blood of the covenant; and, on the other 
hand, when the great and precious promises 
were held forth to him, he would carefully and 
incessantly remind himself and us of the charac- 
ters to whom alone they belonged. 

Saturday, 23 d. I sat up last night with my 
dear afflicted father. At times, his sufferings 
are still very acute ; but as his natural consti- 
tution is so remarkably good, though he takes 



MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 32t 

little or i«o sustenance, his trying affliction has 
not yet made that inroad upon his streu>£th which 
indicates a near approach of dissohitio 1. While 
awake he is generally in the attitude of prayer. 
He is increasingly jealous, lest he should, in his 
extreme suffering, dishonor God by any symp- 
toms of impatience. Faith, 'and patience, and 
resignation, are graces for +he increase of which 
he is incessantly crying to God. He manifestly 
aims, with the same ardor of desire, and strength 
of resolution, at suffering the will of God, as he 
formerly did at doing it. But in suffering, he 
lias to contend against the whole tide of his na- 
ture ; whereas, in doing, he was following after, 
and acting in accordance with, the natural bias 
of his mind. Activity was ever his element; 
to passive sufferings he has, till now, been a 
comparative stranger; but, in addition to his 
other eminent attainments in the divine life, his 
heavenly Father now sees it meet, before he 
takes him to his rest, to require him to learn to 
suffer. O that God may graciously help him to 
endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, 
mitigate his pains, shorten the period of his fiery 
trial, and honor his servant in the final hour 
with his special presence ! 

September 2d. Since the above record, I have 
spent some days- and nights with my father ; he 
still remains the subject of deep affliction ; nor 
is there any immediate prospect of his entering 
into that state where there is no pain. Refer- 
ring to this, he observed, " I see no end ;" but 
correcting himself, he added, "This is the Ian- 



330 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

guage of sense, not of faith." Often, in the 
paroxysms of pain, he cries out, in a very effect- 
ing manner, '* Precious Jesus, help thy servant !" 
He is more and more given to prayer ; and 
frequently, in a very expressive manner, begs 
of God to give him 

u A soul inured to pain." 

No murmuring expression ever drops from his 
lips : lie manifestly has a great abhorrence of 
charging God foolishly. It is very evident, in- 
deed, that his patience, resignation, and acqui- 
escence in the divine will are on the increase. 
These are graces, not only unconsuraed, but 
green and flourishing, amid the flaming fire. 
At different times lie would say, " What a 
mercy, I feel no condemnation ; and as to my 
affliction, I am thankful I brought it not upon 
myself; it is the lot which God has chosen for 
me." The sayings of my mother, in her last 
severe affliction, are now familiar and dear to 
him : on which he observed, " I w r onder I have 
not in past years thought more of them." 

I mentioned that several of his old friends at 
Mousehole had been very affectionately inquir- 
ing after him. With much emotion he saidy 
" They are dear to me, and I suppose I am 
dear to them." I read to him the last chapter 
of St. John's Gospel. When I came to that 
part in which Christ command sd Peter to feed 
his sheep, he was much affected, and said, with 
considerable emotion, " I have considered that 
God also once gave me a particular commission 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 331 

to feed his sheep ; and I have felt it to be my 
delight to minister to them, and help the feeble 
of the nock." 

Saturday, 6th. I remained with my father 
last night. He is much the same ; though his 
pain is not quite so great or incessant. But as 
he takes little food or natural rest, the body is 
necessarily sinking. He breathes submission 
to the divine will, and longs earnestly for his 
change. His esteemed friend, Mr. J. Boase, 
called to see him to-day. The interview affect- 
ed him a great deal. While they talked over 
past and present mercies, they seemed to mount 
high in the chariot of Amminadab, and my 
father was " lost in wonder, love, and praise !" 
But when he thought of their long, affectionate, 
p.nd happy intercourse, connected as it now was 
wHh the impression that he should see the face 
of his beloved friend no more, his feelings for & 
time overwhelmed him. While he prayed with 
him, Mr. B. was deeply affected. " I felt, in- 
deed," he has since observed, " the truth and 
force of that fine sentiment of Young, — 

* The chamber where the good man meets his fate 
Is privileged above the common walk 
Of virtuous life : — quite in the verge of heaven.* " 

It was felt truly to be " the gate of heaven into 
which his happy spirit was then about to enter." 
Two of his old and much-loved friends, from 
Ponsanooth, also called to see him, and were 
much affected while they beheld him on the bed 
of affliction. My father also wept much, while 



332 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

they stood weeping over him, and pressed hi* 
hand very tenderly to their l:ps. Full of holy 
animation, and abounding in hope, he gave 
utterance to his feelings, by exclaiming, — 

" 'My God, I am thine ! what a comfort divine ! 
What a blessing to know that my Jesus is mine V 

Hallelujah ! I am on my journey home." I 
read to him the address of the conference, 
which had just come to hand. He was mucn 
interested with it ; and when I told him tha- 
sixty young men had this year gone out as tra- 
veling preachers, he fervently prayed that the 
presence of God might go with them ; and that 
their labors might be made a blessing to the 
church of God. 

Saturday, 13th. I spent the last night with 
my father, and had much profitable conversation 
with him. Truly he suffers like a Christian. His 
passive graces shine more and more con- 
spicuously. He greatly triumphed and rejoiced 
in the application of that precious promise to his 
soul, " My grace is sufficient for thee." With 
many tears, he said, " I am an unprofitable ser- 
vant ; but, giving all the glory to God, I am 
not only a witness that Jesus hath power upon 
earth to forgive sin, but also that he can cleanse 
from all unrighteousness." 

He again and again requested, if anything 
were said of him after he was gone, great care 
might be taken to ascribe nothing to him — no- 
thing to nature. I was very affectionately and 
faithfully admonished to be increasingly ardent 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 833 

in preaching Christ and full salvation ; and his 
pious and affecting exhortation was mingled 
with many tears, and fervent ejaculations for 
my success in winning souls. To one of his 
grand-daughters, who had recently joined the 
society, while he held her hand, he gave the 
most faithful, and tender, and urgent advices, 
accompanied by his prayers and benedictions. 
The Lord has seen it meet, in his inscrutable 
wisdom and infinite mercy, to continue the 
heavy burden of his affliction ; but under it he 
blessedly supports him, and makes him a bless- 
ing to many who approach his dying bed. Ac- 
cording to his fervent desires, and prayers, and 
hopes, m Ay God more and more strengthen him 
with might in the inner man ! 

Saturday, 20th. My dear afflicted father is 
now evidently fast sinking in the outward man, 
but his confidence in Jehovah is steadfast, unmov- 
abie. The heat of the furnace still increases, and 
nothing short of an Abrahamic faith can support 
the u strong, commanding evidence" of God's 
unchanging love. But he is unburned in fire, 
and appears to beholders a blessed monument 
of the power of religion. With tears, and his 
own indescribable emphasis, he repeated those 
beautiful verses, — 

" Tho* waves and storms go o'er my head ; 

Tho' strength, and health, and friends, be gone , 
Tho' joys be wither'd all and dead, 

And every comfort be withdrawn ; 
On this my steadfast soul relies, 
Father, thy morcy never dies. 



394 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

** FixM on this ground will I remain, 
Tho' my heart fail and flesh decay ; 

This anchor shall my soul sustain 
When earth's foundations melt away ; 

Mercy's full power I then shall prove, 

Loved with an everlasting love." 

When I informed him I was under the neces 
sity of leaving him, to go to my appointment to 
preach, he bid me go in the name of the Lord, 
and fervently prayed that the divine presence 
might go with me, and make my testimony a 
special blessing to the people. 

Friday, 26M. I spent the last two days and 
nights with my father ; and, blessed be God, they 
have proved days and nights of no ordinary 
spiritual festivity and profit. Still he suffers 
much, and his flesh and strength fail him; but 
the evidence is more and more delightfully in- 
dubitable, that his soul is built on the Rock of 
ages. Never, since the commencement of his 
affliction, have I seen him so exceedingly far 
lilted above himself. At times, for hours to- 
gether, he is sustained in the highest Christian 
triumph; when no language of sacred poetry, 
or of the Scriptures, appears too strong to afford 
expi assion to the vivid feelings of his full heart. 
Conscious of the abundance of his communica- 
tion, and still feeling his soul borne away by 
the constraining love of Christ, he often says, 
" It seems as if I could not hold my tongue." 

In a long and triumphantly animated con- 
versation early yesterday morning, the well of 
truth and love within him was found overflow- 



MEMO tw OF CAR70SSO. 830 

ing with rivers of living water. In the rich 
expressions of Chris lian experience, which 
were poured forth from his lips during this 
extraordinary confession unto salvation, two 
things appeared specially conspicuous ; namely, 
his great jealousy for the honor and glory of 
God, in guarding against every word that might 
have the slightest appearance of self in it ; and 
his eager desire that no part of the truth of God 
might be denied, of which God had made him a 
living witness. He sinks low before the throne ; 
but, while he falls down and clings to the feet 
of Jesus, by the hand of Him who rests in his 
love and rejoices over him to do him good, 
he is lifted up to sit in heavenly places. His 
heart seemed to dance with rapture at the men- 
tion of Jesus's charming name. At different 
times, and in various ways, he expressed his 
ardent desire for the increasing prosperity of 
the cause of God in the earth. On its being 
mentioned that the journal which he had written, 
with so much pains and prayers, would proba- 
bly be published after his death, he requested 
that if any gain should arise from the publica- 
tion, beyond the cost of printing, it might be 
given to promote the spread of the kingdom of 
Christ in the world. 

Oct 13^, Monday. This day, at half-past 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, my honored and 
dear father entered triumphantly into " the rest 
that remaineth for the people of God." In the 
last fortnight, though he suffered much, it was 
not so acutely as in the former part of his 



33o jIlLJiOIR OF CAR>OSSO. 

affliction. He gradually declined in strength, 
and at intervals his mind a little wandered. 
With fervent longing, he looked forward to 
his inheritance above, and often repeated, — 

" Whon shall I see the welcome hour 
That plants my God in mel" 

alluding, as lie himself explained it, to u mor- 
tality being swallowed up of life." For some 
days he had dwelt with great delight on that 
beautiful and favorite passage of Peter, " Whom 
having not seen ye love; in whom, though now 
ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with 
joy unspeakable and full of glory." His mind 
at times appeared much occupied about the 
future welfare of those whom God had given 
him, as children in the faith : in death, as life, 
they were dear to him ; and, at different- times, 
he said, with much emotion, " Now re live, if 
ye stand fast in the Lord." 

Yesterday morning he talked of his funeral 
^ery particularly, and expressed much thank- 
fulness, as he had often done before, for the 
kind attention of those who had so assiduously 
attended on him during his long and tedious 
illness. And now, in strong remembrance of 
his character as a sinner, about to enter the 
presence of God, he observed, in his own pecu 
liar manner, "I have this morning been look- 
ing about for my sins, but I cannot find any of 
them; they are all gone." Toward night he 
sunk into a lethargy, and lay without speech 



IfEMOIK OF CARVOSSO. 837 

or motion, on his left side, more than twelve 
hours. 

About eleven this morning, recollection and 
the power of speech again returned. He 
asked for my brother, and being informed that 
he was at hand, he inquired if my sister was 
present ; when told she was, he said something 
indistinctly, which it was thought w T as an in- 
quiry after me ; but I was absent. He now 
signified his wish that they should join with 
him in prayer. While they were kneeling 
round his dying bed, commending his departing 
spirit into the hands of his Creator and Re- 
deemer, he was full of holy animation, and de- 
voutly and very loudly responded to the several 
petitions which were offered up in his behalf. 
On their rising from their knees, he gave them 
his parting benediction, saying with fervor, 
" God bless you all !" And now, grateful that he 
had so nearly and so happily finished his work 
on earth, and having the heavenly crown and 
heavenly host full in view, with an indescribable 
expression of joy and triumph in his countenance, 
and with much of his own tone and manner when 
in the happiest moments of health and strength, 
he gave out, — 

" Praise God from whom all blessings flow !" 

and then attempted to raise the tune. This was 
the more astonishing to those who stood around 
him, as he had not sung before during his 
affliction. But he could not finish his chorus 
22 



888 MEMOIR OF CAKVOSSO. 

on earth, for while thus in the act of praising 
God with his dying breath, his voice was lite- 
rally lost in death ; and he suddenly and sweetly, 
without pain or struggle, fell asleep in Jesus. 
Just after he had apparently ceased to breathe, 
while one present was mentioning the circum- 
stance of dying Christians sometimes giving a 
sign with their hands when they felt great sup- 
port beyond the period of utterance, he lifted up 
his left hand and arm, and then let them gently 
fall till they moved no more. Thus died 
William Carvosso, in the eighty-fifth year of 
his age, and the sixty-fourth of his Christian 
warfare. 

On the Thursday following his remains were 
interred in the burying-ground belonging to the 
chapel at Ponsanooth, in the same grave with 
the remains of my dear mother. For very 
many years did he look forward with pleasun 
and delight to the period when his dust should 
lie moldering in that tomb, and his spirit be 
with God. As the day was wet and unfavor- 
able, the distance of the chapel about five miles, 
and the circumstance of the funeral being known 
only in a very limited degree, most of his friends 
were deprived of the pleasure of attending his 
body tf Jie grave. Yet, as it was, there was a 
larg° concourse of people ; among whom w^re 
several traveling preachers, and many respect- 
able friends, from the distance of fifteen or 
twenty miles or upward. 

In accordance with my father's wish, hi* 



MEMOIR OF OAKVOB80. 839 

highly esteemed friend, the Rev. W. Lawry, 

preached his funeral sermon at Ponsanooth, 
from 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8, to an immensely crowded 
and deeply interested congregation. His death 
was also improved, and a sketch of his charac- 
ter given, from various pulpits in different parts 
of the district. 

Mr. Lawry has kindly furnished the editor 
with the following judicious remarks on the 
character of the deceased : — 

" Of few men could it be said with more 
propriety, than of your late venerable father, 
'He walked with God/ That which many 
persons, of equal mental power with himself, 
have sought for years to understand, and have 
turned over many volumes to find out, he would 
get a full sight of at once before the throne of 
grace. He was eminently a man taught of the 
Lord ; and would therefore learn more of the 
divine nature, more of the evil of sin, more of 
the beauty of holiness, more of theology in 
general, in a few hours' earnest prayer, than 
many others, of the same rank and advantages, 
in as many years. He did not go round about 
to establish his own righteousness, but always 
took the short road, and came at once to the 
fountain head. He well knew the doctrine 
which ' speaketh on this wise, Say not, in thine 
heart, Who shall ascend into hea\en? (that 
is, to bring Christ down from above ') or, whc 
shall descend into the deep ? But what saith 



340 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

it ? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, 
and in thy heart ; that is the word of faith whicl 
we preach.' , 

" The Bible was supreme authority with him. 
From its decisions he appealed not. To this 
simplicity of aim and conversation may be attri- 
buted, in a high degree, his pre-eminent attain- 
ments in experimental and practical religion. 
His eye was single, and his whole body was full 
of light. He was remarkable for seizing on 
every opportunity of conversing with whomso- 
ever he met, upon the state of their souls and 
the way to the kingdom. This was his element, 
his forte, his special path of usefulness. In the 
exercise of this talent upon old or young, saint 
or sinner, friend or stranger, at home or abroad, 
with an individual or in company with many, 
he seemed never to faint or be weary. He was 
an evangelist, who went from house to house, 
conversing freely with all on sacred things, and 
generally praying before he left the family. In 
this work of faith and labor of love he rarely 
gave offense- — though sometimes this would fol- 
low ; and yet the very person so offended would 
often wish to see him again ; and not unfre 
quently, at the second interview, the eyes which 
had previously betokened anger would now fill 
with penitential tears. He dwelt little on specula- 
tive theology ; he was not a man of extensive 
reading ; he never meddled with other people's 
matters, or things which did not concern him 
He kept close to the Bible and Mr. Wesley's 
Works, especially his hymn-book ; and had * 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 341 

very high esteem for the Life and Letters of 
Mrs. H. A Rogers. To these he appealed 
wherever he went ; and showed their true 
meaning by the light of his hallowed spirit and 
conversation. I have often observed that a verse 
from the hymn-book, quoted by him in the full 
glow of his pious remarks, would assume a fresh- 
ness and a beauty not previously seen. His dis- 
course had in it a salt which never lost its savor." 

To what Mr. Lawry says of my father's walk 
with God, and his pre-eminent attainments in 
experimental religion, I wish to add a remark 
or two. He certainly did live in an extraordi- 
nary manner under the influence of the realizing 
light of faith. His interior eye was opened, 
and the Invisible appeared to his wondering 
and adoring mind. When I met in class with 
him his communications concerning the God 
" in whom we live, and move, and have our 
being," were very striking, and such, I think, 
as I have heard from no other. I can never 
forget the manner in which, at one time, he 
spoke of his awe of the majesty of God, and of 
hi* consciousness of being surrounded by the 
divine presence : as if crushed beneath the 
weight of glory, amidst streaming tears of joy, 
he exclaimed, " what a being God is !" In 
his walk, it is evident God drew very near tc 
him, and treated him with the condescension, 
the confidence, and the familiarity of one whom 
he called his " friend." This is abundantly mani- 
fest from various records in the preceding pagea. 



342 MEMOIB OF CABVOSSO. 

His attainments in Christian experience ire 

justly characterized as " pre-eminent." When 
speaking on this subject, which is doubtless the 
root of the matter, he was ever at h )me : this 
is well known to tens of thousands. Our larger 
love-feasts furnished him with fine opportuni- 
ties for pouring forth the fullness of his warm 
heart. Never did this favorite Methodist or- 
dinance appear to more advantage than when 
he opened his mouth to witness his good con- 
fession before a thousand witnesses. The fear 
of man, so commonly a snare on these occasions, 
had here no power over him ; for the love that 
casteth out fear appeared now his peculiar ele- 
ment. This gave him a door of utterance, and 
the whole multitude glorified God in him. 

In the general cast of his experience there 
was great simplicity and soundness,' great depth 
and triumph. There was no art, nor appearance 
of art ; all was natural and legitimate cause 
and effect. God moved on his heart ; the fire 
kindled within him ; then spake he with his 
tongue. Sound speech, which could not be con- 
demned even by those who are of the contrary 
part, was the common dress of his thoughts 
concerning the kingdom within him. He was 
remarkably Scriptural. It was evident he was 
no more spoiled by vain philosophy than he was 
the captive of wild enthusiasm. The record 
which God had given him concerning his Son 
he believed with all his heart, and to him it was 
the only and sufficient rule. The wildness of 
speech and action which some good people have 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. &43 

fallen into, in him stood reproved. As to the 
depth of his experience, by the suffrages of all 
he excelled here. The honor of a professor 
in the deep things of God was long conceded to 
him. He dug deep, and brought forth treasures 
old and new from the unsearchable riches of 
Christ, dwelling in his heart by faith. He laid 
daim to all the great and precious promises 
concerning the image of God within ; and when 
with his lips he pronounced them as descriptive 
of his own experience they bore the stamp and 
freshness of living truth. 

Within a few feet of the spot where I now 
write, I remember his standing up, above twenty 
years ago, before a vast concourse in a love- 
feast, when he described his progress into the 
depths of holiness under the imagery of Eze- 
kieFs vision of the holy waters. His feeling, 
his voice, his action, rose with the subject till 
the effect was indescribable. But deep expe- 
rience is not always what is termed happy ex- 
perience : some Christians drink deep into the 
Spirit, who are not generally remarkable for 
the triumph of faith. Not so my father : he 
felt that while he possessed a religion which 
brought him righteousness, it brought him also 
joy in the Holy Ghost. His religion made 
him happy. That was evident to all ; and the 
fullness and constancy of the earnest of heaven 
in his breast added much to the interest which 
he excited. When he visited Polperro on one 
occasion, the intelligent and eminent Dr. C, 
of that place, wrote to me soon after in New 



344 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

South Wales, and made some remarks on hig 
extraordinary character. He thought him a 
true evangelist; and observed, that the solid 
and cheerful happiness which he appeared habit- 
ually to possess, standing, as it did, in connec- 
tion with age so advanced, greatly contributed 
to render him a phenomenon of striking interest, 
It is, however, proper to add, that this solid 
and cheerful happiness, for which he was so 
distinguished, was not possessed undisturbed by 
the enemy of peace. The veteran Christian 
warrior well knew that the joy of the Lord was 
his strength, and this was also well known to 
his adversary ; hence on this point they often 
joined issue. This experienced soldier of Christ 
would not suffer Satan to practice any of his 
wiles of intimidation within the reach of his 
armor. Often would he say to those who were 
depressed under temptation, when they looked 
to him for instruction and encouragement, " You 
suffer the enemy to come too near to you." 
Spiritual courage was a grace ever held by him 
in the highest estimation. Many an impressive 
exhortation did he give on this head. To those 
who were familiar with him it is well known how 
often and how forcibly he would exclaim, — 

" Courage, your Captain cries." 

The connection and importance of this Chris- 
tian virtue were pointed out a thousand times 
by quoting Mr. Wesley's well-known translation 
of 2 Peter i, 5, " Add to your faith courage." 
I well remember being once in company with 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 845 

hilt, when one of the more timid followers of 
the Saviour was greatly complaining to him of 
the incessant harassings of the tempter. After 
he had furnished to her the usual antidotes in 
such a case, she continued to complain that by 
her utmost efforts she could not induce the 
" devil to flee from her :" my father, seeing what 
she wanted, and perhaps not finding at hand a 
suitable word to convey his idea, yet gathering 
up all his strength to help her, said, in such an 
expressive manner as I shall never forget, " You 
should look wicked upon him." His meaning 
on this occasion will, probably, be best gathered 
from an account of a little spiritual conflict of 
his own, which I have often heard him narrate 
to the instruction of many. It occurred, I be- 
lieve, just after I had left him in his solitary 
state on the farm. " One evening," he observed, 
" before going to chapel, I went into my cham- 
ber to spend a little time in secret. As I came 
up stairs, I perceived by the clock that the time 
I had to spend was about half an hour. I sat 
down in my usual place, not quite determined 
whether to spend the time in reading, medita- 
tion, or prayer. But the moment I had taken 
my seat, it was powerfully suggested by Satan, 
Thou ail not as happy as thou wert.' Having 
been dogged several days by the same tempta- 
tion, I tnrnpd -ound with indignation, and said 
to tne tempter, 2C Jzzn xnd all the devils in 
hell should come here, and tell rne I had lost 
my happiness, I would withstand thee and them : 
for it should make no difference with regard to 



346 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

my confidence in God/ In a moment I felt J 
was delivered, and these words instantly darted 
into my mind, ' And the devil leaveth him.' ] 
knew the words were Scripture, but I did not 
know their connection. Not having the Bible 
by me, I hastened to another room, caught it 
up, turned to Matthew iv, 11, and found they 
were part of the narrative of our Lord's conflict 
in the wilderness ; and that the other words of 
the verse which followed were, 'And, behold, 
angels came and ministered unto him.' how 
did my soul then exult and triumph ! I was 
overwhelmed by the presence of God and the 
heavenly host." 



The story of this little volume will now be 
concluded by a brief notice of some practical 
and instructive lessons which it is calculated to 
teach. 

1. It shows the reality and blessedness of 
true religion. Here is a man who was the 
slave of ignorance and sin, instantaneously 
roused and transformed by the call and energy 
of the gospel ministry; and, for more than three- 
score years, the principle of fervent piety, thus 
implanted by the finger of God, is evinced by 
great moral rectitude, sublime mental enjoy 
ments, and by the continued exercise of a salu- 
tary and powerful influence in promoting the 
solid happiness of those belonging to the circle 
in which he moved. What has infidelity to 
>ppose to this fact, or to compare with it ? 



MEMOIR OF CAR^OSSO. 847 

2. It furnishes a commendable example of 
industry and resolution in acquiring the know- 
ledge of the useful arts, under circumstances of 
great difficulty and discouragement. A man 
of sixty-five learns to write ; and applies the 
valuable acquisition, very extensively, to pur- 
poses of great importance both to himself and 
to others. Let this fact stimulate exertion in 
those who are in anywise similarly circum- 
stanced. 

3. It shows that a man, unendowed with 
either distinguished talents or office, may be- 
come great in usefulness among his neighbors ; 
so great, that it is not easy to find a parallel 
even among men of mind, education, and office. 
The subject of the foregoing pages was a man 
of plain understanding, without any approach to 
wit or humor, possessing, as we see, not the 
advantages of the commonest education : yet, 
with faith in Jesus Christ, pains and patience, 
he attains not only great virtues, but also great 
views and great energies ; and last, not least, 
the distinguished honor of being beloved and 
blessed as the friend of thousands. 

4. It sets before the eyes of the church an 
example of stability in Christian profession. 
Let the young professor be hereby encouraged 
to confide in Him who is " able to save unto 
the uttermost ;" and let " unstable souls " shed 
tears of penitential sorrow while they behold a 
man walking in the integrity of his Christian 
profession more than sixty years ; " turning not 
aside, either to the right hand or to the left." 



348 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

5. It speaks loudly to parents professing god 
liness, who have children grown up to maturity ; 
yet " without Christ, being aliens from the 
commonwealth of Israel." Their duty and their 
privilege are here set before them ; their duty 
to exercise unquenchable desire, and ardent 
effort for the conversion of their sons and daugh- 
ters ; and their high privilege of becoming re 
lated to them by ties more dear and tender than 
those of flesh and blood. 

6. It shows to pious persons who have retired 
from business, how happily and usefully they 
may fill up the eve of life, provided God has 
yet continued to them a measure of health and 
strength. Here is one, who, after he had ac- 
quired a moderate competency, lays aside the 
world as a garment ; and, though now vergmg 
toward his " threescore years and ten," he 
starts in a new career of piety and usefulness 
by which "his last days become best days," 
both with regard to his personal peace and to 
the active benevolence of his life. 

7. It shows how practicable it is for Chris- 
tians to do good in their social intercourse ; pro- 
vided, that with a devout and spiritual mind 
they give religion that decided prominence 
which its infinitely momentous interests very 
naturally and justly claim. To this branch of 
Christian usefulness the subject of this volume 
brought no superior conversational powers, but 
such as rise spontaneously from a full heart. 
What he did in this way — and certainly he did 
wonders — may, unquestionably, to a great ex- 



MEMOIR OP CARVOSSO. 349 

tent, be accomplished by ten thousand other 
lovers of " the truth as it is in Jesus." 

8. It shows, in the great work of saving the 
soul, the corresponding and reciprocal import- 
ance of the twofold agency, human and divine. 
While most of the facts here stated clearly 
manifest "the power of God unto salvation," 
yet are many of them so evidently made to 
depend on human instrumentality, as to say to 
our consciences, "Ye have not, because ye 
ask not." 

9. It speaks. very forcibly to those who wish 
to be useful in the church, and says, " Have 
faith in God ; for all things are possible to him 
that believeth." A Christian believer is here 
set before us, ardently desirous of saving souls 
from death; faith in God through Christ is his 
perpetual theme ; and hereby he becomes an 
extraordinary, useful character. 

10. It shows, with the force of demonstration, 
that the gospel offers a free, full, and present 
salvation. Perhaps these three important points 
have seldom been more clearly established within 
so narrow a compass. 

11. It evinces how very simple is the method 
of salvation by faith, and how efficacious on the 
heart and life is that faith, when it lays hold on 
the atoning blood, and the great and precious 
promises made to us through that sacrifice. 

1 2. Finally, it exhibits a pleasing instance of 
the powerful effects of individual human influ- 
ence, and the admirable economy of Wesleyan 
Methodism, by which that influence, rightly 



350 MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 

directed, is brought to bear on society. Here 
is an humble individual in private life. He is 
determined on going to heaven himself; and 
has his heart set on the great work of moving 
as many thitherward as possible. With a soul 
filled with faith and love, he exhorts one, and 
another, and another : and sets them in motion 
toward the better country : he moves from 
place to place, and similar effects follow. Then 
he sits down in his little chamber, learns to 
write, and, by his epistolary correspondence, 
keeps those in motion that he had already moved. 
Till shortly, by an effort in the feebleness of 
age, his pious influence is found, directly or 
indirectly, acting powerfully on the minds of 
thousands, distributed in the various intermedi- 
ate places between Saltash and the Land's End. 
But for his personal and relative good he was 
indebted to Methodism. Although a constant 
attendant at the parish church for above twenty 
years, he knew nothing of religion, but lived in 
utter spiritual darkness and sin, till he heard 
the first sermon by a Methodist preacher. This 
was the immediate instrument of an entire 
change of heart and life. Inducted into the 
ranks of Methodism, it was quickly perceived 
he was capable of being useful ; and accordingly 
the subordinate, but important, oflice of class- 
leader was assigned to him. This was his 
place. In the service of sixty years, he never 
rose above it, or rendered himself unworthy of 
it. And in conformity to the genius of Chris- 
tianity, and the aggressive principle of the rule* 



MEMOIR OF CARVOSSO. 351 

of the body, he exhorted, reproved, or instructed 
all with whom he had intercourse. Methodism 
is one, in every town, in every village. Wherever 
he came by the clew of friendship and impulse 
of iuty, his character and office were respected ; 
he naturally found a wide door of usefulness 
open to him ; and, in the short space of a few 
days, he came into personal and familiar contact 
with hundreds of souls hungering and thirsting 
after righteousness, who rejoiced in his light^ 
and caught an increase of heavenly fire from 
the Soirit of burning which so eminently dwelt 
in him. 



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